Aug. 22, 2008
Larry Hennessy, a former Villanova basketball All-American whose No. 14 jersey hangs from the Pavilion rafters, died Wednesday evening in Williamsburg, Va., where he lived. He was 79.
Hennessy was one of the most prolific scorers in Wildcat basketball history and his 1,737 career points in three varsity seasons from 1950-53 still ranks 11th in school history. Known for one of the nation's most accurate set shots, Hennessy averaged 23.2 points in 75 career games on the Main Line playing for coach Al Severance. On Feb. 14, 1953, he scored 45 points against Boston College ten days after scoring 44 points against Canisius. Only two Wildcats, Paul Arizin and Bob Schafer, have scored more points in a single game for Villanova.
Following his graduation from Villanova, Hennessy played professional basketball and was part of the Philadelphia Warriors 1955-56 National Basketball Association championship squad. In 1957, he became the head coach at Neptune High School and built that school into a powerhouse in the Shore Conference. Using a fast-break, full-court style, Hennessy led Neptune to consecutive Shore Conference championships from 1961-67 and titles in 1972 and 1976. Neptune also captured 18 divisional titles and six New Jersey state sectional crowns.
Hennessy later went on to coach at Brookdale Community College and added four more Shore Conference divisional titles at Mater Dei High School, where he posted an 87-18 record. He completed his coaching career at Walsingham Academy in Williamsburg, Va., with more than 600 lifetime victories to his credit.
"All of us in the Villanova basketball family were saddened to learn of Coach Hennessy's passing," stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. "He was one of the great Wildcat All-Americans and helped build the basketball tradition that is so much a part of our program. We will miss this Villanova legend and extend our thoughts and prayers to his family."
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at Bucktrout Funeral Home. A 9:00 a.m. funeral will take place on Thursday, Aug., 28 at St. Bede's Catholic Church followed by internment at Cedar Grove Cemetery. All are located in Williamsburg, Va.
Notes of condolence can be directed to Larry's son, Robert Hennessy, at 102 Cooley Road, Williamsburg, Va., 23188.
