News > July 27, 2007

By Liza Greenspun | News editor

The university’s Hearn Plaza was ceremoniously rolled at midnight Thursday, July 26. However, this time students were not rolling the Quad after an important conference sports win, but to honor the life and career of Skip Prosser, men’s basketball head coach, who passed earlier in the day.

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Coach Prosser courtside for the February 2005 matchup with Duke. (Evan Blair/Old Gold & Black)

Prosser, 56, was found unresponsive in his office by Mike Muse, coordinator of basketball operations, at 12:45 p.m. after suffering an apparent heart attack. He had gone for a jog around noon at the university’s Kentner Stadium Track, adjacent to his office in the Manchester Athletic Center, as he so often did during his time at the university.

A doctor from Student Health Services arrived and administered an AED (defibrillator) before Prosser was transported to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Prosser was pronounced dead at 1:41 p.m.

Ron Wellman, university athletics director, announced Prosser’s sudden death at a news conference at Bridger Field House at 9 p.m. July 26.

“We are profoundly and deeply saddened by the sudden, untimely death of Coach Prosser,” Ron Wellman, university athletics director, said in a press release. “Coach Prosser was one of the finest individuals I have known in my life, and he has left a lasting impression on the lives of many throughout the Wake Forest community.”

“Julie and I, and the whole Wake Forest family, grieve the passing of Coach Skip Prosser,” University President Nathan O. Hatch said in a press release. “It is hard to imagine this community without him. He was an infectious learner and teacher on and off the court, passionate about life and deeply committed to students and colleagues. We extend our most profound condolence to Nancy and the Prosser family in this time of loss.”

During his six seasons as head coach, Prosser compiled a 126-68 record and led the team to five postseason appearances. In 2003, the university won the ACC regular season championship under his lead.

Prosser had been excited about beginning his seventh season at the university, and had been in Orlando just that morning trying to find the best recruiting class for the 2008-2009 season of the men’s basketball program.

Prosser compiled a total career record of 291-146 in 14 seasons as a head coach. Before coming to the university, he coached for one year at Loyola University, with a 14-13 record, and seven seasons at Xavier University, compiling a record of 148-65.

Prosser was the 2003 ACC Coach of the Year after leading the team to the NCAA Tournament, as well as the NABC and USBWA District Coach of the Year.

At midnight following the official announcement of Prosser’s death, students, faculty, alumni and fans who were on or near campus, despite the summer vacation, gathered to roll the Quad and hold a candlelight vigil to honor the late coach, respected and loved by many members and fans of the university and Atlantic Coast Conference Sports.

Prosser was a 1972 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy with a degree in nautical science. He earned a master’s degree at West Virginia University in 1980.

Prosser is survived by his wife Nancy and sons Scott, 28, and Mark, 27.