Former Lobo Bob King died last week at the age of 81.
In the 1960s, King brought unprecedented success to the Lobo basketball program. He won two Western Athletic Conference titles, took the team to the National Invitation Tournament three times and the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history in 1968.
King also elevated the team in the eyes of the Albuquerque community. During his tenure, UNM basketball became the hottest ticket in the city.
"He brought Lobo mania from almost nothing into prominence," said Mike Roberts, who has called Lobo games on the radio since King was coach.
King's most important contribution came when he moved the team out of tiny Johnson Gym, which sat about 7,000. Attendance more than doubled in his first three years as coach, and a new facility proved necessary. The Pit opened on Dec. 1, 1966, and sat 14,831. It has since been expanded to fit more than 18,000 people.
The Pit's floor was named in honor of King in 1992.
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King is survived by his wife, Sharel, and six children. The Kings have 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Services for King will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at The Pit and are open to the public.
