Mac Irvin, 'Godfather' of Chicago basketball, dies at 74
December 25, 2011 9:07 AM
McGlother "Mac" Irvin turned a small South Side basketball program, the Mac Irvin Fire, into a nationally recognized powerhouse. His influence and charisma earned him a nickname so well established that public-address announcers in gyms across Chicago would proclaim his entrance: "The Godfather is in the building."
Mr. Irvin, 74, died Saturday at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Irvin was a diabetic and had been suffering from various complications since July.
"We lost a giant here in the city of Chicago," said Sonny Parker, a former NBA player who played for and coached with Irvin. "He has touched all of us. We don't have a replacement for him."
suntimes.com
Mr. Irvin, 74, died Saturday at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Irvin was a diabetic and had been suffering from various complications since July.
"We lost a giant here in the city of Chicago," said Sonny Parker, a former NBA player who played for and coached with Irvin. "He has touched all of us. We don't have a replacement for him."
suntimes.com
Filed under: High School Sports
