PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville Department of Athletics is saddened to hear of the passing of former head men's basketball coach and New York Knick Dean "The Dream" Meminger, who died on Friday at the age of 65.
 
After an NBA career that included playing a key role in the Knicks' 1973 NBA championship team, Meminger spent one season in Purchase as the Valiants' head coach in 2003-04. He guided the squad to an 18-10 record and a berth in the Skyline Conference Tournament semifinals and the ECAC Metro Tournament before stepping down for personal reasons.
 
"Dean had a big heart and was a very easy guy to root for," said Director of Athletics Keith Levinthal, who hired Meminger as the sixth head coach in program history just weeks before the start of the 2003-04 season. "I like to remember that he always had that smooth jazz playing in his office. He was someone that was genuinely respected and did great things for our department and our student-athletes in his short time here."
 
Current head men's basketball coach Pat Scanlon, who served as an assistant coach under Meminger and took over as the leader of the Valiant basketball program following Dean's departure, also remembered his former boss.

"Dean was a good man and kind to many people in our community – and in particular, me," said Scanlon. "We spoke this summer and he seemed to be in a really good place. He had a great laugh and was an amazing storyteller. We will certainly miss him."