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Immediate Release: Tuesday, September 3, 2002 ABE LEMONS’ PASSING IS A LOSS TO UTPA ATHLETICSEDINBURG, TX-The University of Texas-Pan American and Bronc athletics were touched by the passing of former Texas-Pan American men’s basketball coach Abe Lemons Monday evening. Lemons, who died Monday after a long illness, led Texas-Pan American to a 55-16 record between the 1973 and the 1976 seasons. A very successful head coach at Oklahoma City University and the University of Texas as well, Lemons compiled the best winning percentage of any UT Pan American head men’s basketball coach with a .775 mark. His 1973-74 team went 13-9, his team was 22-2 in 1974-75 and the Broncs were 20-5 in 1975-76 under Lemons’ leadership. Lemons’ teams won 599 games during his 34-year coaching career. He retired from OCU after the 1989-90 season, losing his last game by one point in a bid for 600 wins, and finishing with a career mark of 599-343. “The passing of Abe Lemons is a great loss to The University of Texas-Pan American, as well as all of college basketball,” said UTPA Director of Athletics William J. Weidner. “As one of the most successful and popular coaches in our profession, Coach Lemons was not only a coaching legend, but also a true ambassador of the game. Abe Lemons influenced the lives of countless people in a most positive way. His positive contribution to Bronc basketball remains a very significant part of our proud athletic history and tradition, and he will be missed by all who knew him. On behalf of The University of Texas-Pan American and our athletic department, we offer our sincere condolences to the Lemons family, as our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
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