Former Spartan head coach Gus Ganakas will receive the 2002 Men’s Basketball Distinguished Alumnus Award, the university announced Tuesday.
Ganakas, who is currently the team’s color commentator on the Spartan Radio Network, is the sixth recipient of the award. He will be honored at the 2002 Michigan State Basketball Bust on March 11 at the Holiday Inn South, 6820 S. Cedar St. in Lansing.
“When (men’s basketball head coach) Tom Izzo informed me that I would receive this honor, I was surprised and humbled,” Ganakas said in a written statement. “I’m very honored to get an award that has previously been given to some of the greats in Spartan basketball history.”
A native of Mount. Morris, N.Y., Ganakas coached the Spartans from 1969-76, compiling an 89-84 record. He attended MSU from 1946-50 after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps.
After graduation, he coached basketball at East Lansing High School before taking over as the coordinator of the Ralph Young Fund - MSU’s athletic fund-raising organization.
He became an MSU assistant coach in 1966 and the head coach three years later.
Ganakas has spent the last 16 years as a radio broadcaster.
“In all my years at Michigan State, I have known Gus in many different capacities,” Izzo said in the written statement. “Over that time, I have developed a great appreciation for the impact he has had on the Michigan State basketball program. I feel very strongly that Gus Ganakas is very deserving of this honor.”
Past winners of the Distinguished Alumnus Award are Rickey Ayala, Julius McCoy, Robin Roberts, Horace Walker and Johnny Green.
