Hall of Fame
Lester “Buster” Sheary was one of the best, most successful and most respected college basketball coaches of all time.
He was an assistant to Alvin “Doggie” Julian when the Crusaders won the 1947 NCAA championship and finished third in 1948.
Sheary was then the Crusaders’ head coach for seven years, from the 1948-1949 season through the 1954-1955 campaign, and coached five All-Americans.
His winning percentage of .812 ranked as the best of any coach in New England history, as he posted an overall record of 155-36 with two trips to the NCAA Tournament and two National Invitation Tournament appearances.
Sheary’s 1953-1954 squad went 26-2 overall and won the NIT championship, while his 1949-1950 team posted a 27-4 mark with a 26-game winning streak.
Among the men he coached were Bob Cousy, Togo Palazzi and Tom Heinsohn.
Sheary passed away in 2001.
