A coach that was in the movie Hoop Dreams died yesterday. He coached the Arthur Agee that left St. Joseph and eventually went to the State Tournament in that movie. I just found out that Agee's father who was all through the movie was murdered back in 2004 as well. Now this historic coach is gone as well.

Here is the story below.


<b>Ex-Marshall coach Bedford dies at 69

January 8, 2006

BY CLYDE TRAVIS </b>

Luther Bedford, a former coach and athletic director at Marshall affectionately known as the ''Godfather'' of Public League basketball, died Saturday night at Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park. He was 69.

Mr. Bedford, who coached Marshall to three Public League championships, was taken by ambulance earlier Saturday after collapsing in his Bellwood home. He was revived and coherent but listed in critical but stable condition. He was able to joke with family and friends, but later complained of back pain as the night progressed.

Marshall girls basketball coach Dorothy Gaters, a close personal friend, said it appeared his kidneys shut down and he took a turn for the worse.

''Right now I am empty and devastated,'' Gaters said. ''We have lost a truly great man.''

Mr. Bedford, a member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, was 450-267 as Marshall's basketball coach from 1973-99.

''Luther was the Godfather. His word and presence was strong and powerful,'' said Don Pittman, who coached against Mr. Bedford at South Shore and Carver and later was his principal at Marshall. ''He will be missed, but never forgotten.''

Copyright © The Sun-Times Company

The movie was re-released on STARZ last year. At the end of the movie, a text shot had been added that stated he had been murdered.