INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — Hall of Fame high school basketball Coach Ed Siegel has died.
Siegel's family has confirmed to 13News that the coach died from COVID-19.
On Wednesday, LaSalle Thompson III, a former player for Coach Siegel's, posted a message about the loss on his Facebook.
"... we lost a GREAT MAN TODAY!!! My High School Coach Ed Seigel lost his battle to the virus today. ... He played a tremendous role in my life in helping me become the man I am today! I will always be grateful for the time we had & shared! Prayers out for the Seigel Family."
The governor also posted about Siegel's death.
"For anyone who ever had Ed Siegel in class or on the court, yesterday, we lost a legend to heaven's call," Governor Eric Holcomb wrote in his post.
Siegel was A U.S. Army veteran for 18 months before his 33-season varsity head coaching career began in 1956, according to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
He is most well-known for his 25-year tenure as head coach of the Pike High School Red Devils.
He led the Red Devils to their first ever sectional and regional championships, won five Marion County Tournament titles and eight Central Suburban Athletic Conference titles. He coached four Indiana All-Stars, he was seven-time CSAC Coach of the Year and three-time Marion County Coach of the Year.
He retired in 1995 with 458 career wins.