Gerald Leon Bush (Jerry)former Nebraska basketball coach died October 27, 1976 at age of 62.The Nebraska basketball coach from 1953-64, had been vice-president of Universal Assurors Inc. of Omaha following his resignation from the NU Athletic Department.
Known as the "Big Bear of the Coliseum" Bush took over the Husker coaching post in 1954 when Bill Orwig took over as Athletic Director of Nebraska. Bush had been head coach at Toledo Univeristy (1947-1954) after playing eleven years in professional basketball with five championship teams including the world champion Ft. Wayne Pistons.
Previous to that, Bush was a basketball standout at St. John's University of Brooklyn N.Y. He was raised in Brooklyn and attended Erasmus High School in Brooklyn.
"He had an outstanding personality, a good worker, and a great teacher of the game of basketball" said former athletic director Dye.
Probably the highlight of his career at the NU helm came in the 1957-58 season when the Huskers beat Kansas and Kansas State ranked 1-2 in the nation, in succession. Kansas was led by Wilt Chamberlin and Kansas State won the Big Eight title.
One of Nebraska's most popular coaches, Bush was in heavy demand as a speaker. His enthusiasm won him countless friends and fans.
A press clipping from 1963, just after Bush resigned summarized Bush's association with the Nebraska fans.
" He has provided far more than victories and injected into the community and the state an enthusiasm and good nature that is far more valuable than victories on the hardwood courts. On these terms, Jerry Bush leaves Nebraska as a real winner.".'
Known as the "Big Bear of the Coliseum" Bush took over the Husker coaching post in 1954 when Bill Orwig took over as Athletic Director of Nebraska. Bush had been head coach at Toledo Univeristy (1947-1954) after playing eleven years in professional basketball with five championship teams including the world champion Ft. Wayne Pistons.
Previous to that, Bush was a basketball standout at St. John's University of Brooklyn N.Y. He was raised in Brooklyn and attended Erasmus High School in Brooklyn.
"He had an outstanding personality, a good worker, and a great teacher of the game of basketball" said former athletic director Dye.
Probably the highlight of his career at the NU helm came in the 1957-58 season when the Huskers beat Kansas and Kansas State ranked 1-2 in the nation, in succession. Kansas was led by Wilt Chamberlin and Kansas State won the Big Eight title.
One of Nebraska's most popular coaches, Bush was in heavy demand as a speaker. His enthusiasm won him countless friends and fans.
A press clipping from 1963, just after Bush resigned summarized Bush's association with the Nebraska fans.
" He has provided far more than victories and injected into the community and the state an enthusiasm and good nature that is far more valuable than victories on the hardwood courts. On these terms, Jerry Bush leaves Nebraska as a real winner.".'
Gerald Leon Bush (Jerry)former Nebraska basketball coach died October 27, 1976 at age of 62.The Nebraska basketball coach from 1953-64, had been vice-president of Universal Assurors Inc. of Omaha following his resignation from the NU Athletic Department.
Known as the "Big Bear of the Coliseum" Bush took over the Husker coaching post in 1954 when Bill Orwig took over as Athletic Director of Nebraska. Bush had been head coach at Toledo Univeristy (1947-1954) after playing eleven years in professional basketball with five championship teams including the world champion Ft. Wayne Pistons.
Previous to that, Bush was a basketball standout at St. John's University of Brooklyn N.Y. He was raised in Brooklyn and attended Erasmus High School in Brooklyn.
"He had an outstanding personality, a good worker, and a great teacher of the game of basketball" said former athletic director Dye.
Probably the highlight of his career at the NU helm came in the 1957-58 season when the Huskers beat Kansas and Kansas State ranked 1-2 in the nation, in succession. Kansas was led by Wilt Chamberlin and Kansas State won the Big Eight title.
One of Nebraska's most popular coaches, Bush was in heavy demand as a speaker. His enthusiasm won him countless friends and fans.
A press clipping from 1963, just after Bush resigned summarized Bush's association with the Nebraska fans.
" He has provided far more than victories and injected into the community and the state an enthusiasm and good nature that is far more valuable than victories on the hardwood courts. On these terms, Jerry Bush leaves Nebraska as a real winner.".'
Known as the "Big Bear of the Coliseum" Bush took over the Husker coaching post in 1954 when Bill Orwig took over as Athletic Director of Nebraska. Bush had been head coach at Toledo Univeristy (1947-1954) after playing eleven years in professional basketball with five championship teams including the world champion Ft. Wayne Pistons.
Previous to that, Bush was a basketball standout at St. John's University of Brooklyn N.Y. He was raised in Brooklyn and attended Erasmus High School in Brooklyn.
"He had an outstanding personality, a good worker, and a great teacher of the game of basketball" said former athletic director Dye.
Probably the highlight of his career at the NU helm came in the 1957-58 season when the Huskers beat Kansas and Kansas State ranked 1-2 in the nation, in succession. Kansas was led by Wilt Chamberlin and Kansas State won the Big Eight title.
One of Nebraska's most popular coaches, Bush was in heavy demand as a speaker. His enthusiasm won him countless friends and fans.
A press clipping from 1963, just after Bush resigned summarized Bush's association with the Nebraska fans.
" He has provided far more than victories and injected into the community and the state an enthusiasm and good nature that is far more valuable than victories on the hardwood courts. On these terms, Jerry Bush leaves Nebraska as a real winner.".'
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