ITA - Italian basketball loses another patron with passing of Claudio Coccia

ROME (Italian Basketball Federation) - Italian basketball lost its second patron in a week with the news that the Honorary President of the Italian Basketball Federation Claudio Coccia passed away in Olgiata, Rome on Wednesday at the age of 79.

This comes one day after the death of legendary former player and coach Cesare Rubini, leaving Italian basketball deep in mourning.

Coccia, who graduated as a lawyer in 1961, played a key administrative role within Italian and world basketball in a career that spanned more than four decades. His work in drafting the Italian Federation's executive regulations made him one of the fathers of modern basketball in Italy.

He was elected FIP president from 1965 to 1975 and served as the Italian League's commissioner from 1979 to 1989.

Coccia was elected to FIBA's Central Board in 1968, where he went on to sit for eight years.

He was instrumental in setting up the new model for the Italian League, which went on to become one of the strongest and most exciting domestic basketball leagues in Europe.

A keen sportsman himself, Coccia was passionate about cycling, played water-polo in Italy's thrid division and was an accomplished sailor, even winning a national title in 1979.

Upon hearing the news, FIP president Dino Meneghin said "This is a great loss for Italian sport. Claudio Coccia was a modern manager."

"His presidency meant the de-provincialization of Italian basketball, opening it to foreign players and starting the growth that has made basketball become the second sport in Italy."

FIBA Secretary General and IOC Member Patrick Baumann said "This is very sad news for Italian sport and for the whole basketball family."

"Claudio Coccia can be credited with having helped the game we all love grow in Italy and beyond. His vision and hard work should not be overlooked. All of us within FIBA are deeply saddened by his passing, but his legacy will remain visible for many years to come."

FIBA