Coach Herb Magee to Receive Honorary Doctorate at PhilaU Commencement May 17

Coach Herb Magee

PHILADELPHIA, PA- Philadelphia University legendary men's basketball coach Herb Magee -known as the "Shot Doc" for his ability to teach pros and student athletes alike how to sink a jump shot - will be able to use that title for real when he is awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters at the University's Commencement ceremony May 17.

A Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame nominee, Magee will be celebrating his 50th year at Philadelphia University - as a student, basketball player and coach - starting in the fall of 2009. During the 2008-2009 basketball season, Magee achieved an all-time record of 880 career wins, passing the lifetime wins of two other extraordinary coaches - former North Carolina coach Dean Smith and former Kentucky Coach Adolph Rupp.

Magee is now the third-most-winning coach ever in all NCAA divisions, and holds the record for the most NCAA wins in Division II. He also remains one of the top-scoring players in Rams history.

"Philadelphia University's 'shot doc' will earn yet another distinction and honor when he receives the Doctor of Humane Letters at the 2009 Commencement ceremony," said Philadelphia University President Stephen Spinelli Jr. "It is a most-fitting way to recognize Herb Magee's achievements both on and off the court during his 50 years at Philadelphia University."

Some 675 undergraduate and graduate students will receive diplomas at Philadelphia University's 125th Commencement ceremony. Judy Vredenburgh, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, will deliver the keynote address.

Philadelphia University's Commencement will be held at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 17. For more information, go to http://www.philau.edu/commencement/.

Philadelphia University, founded in 1884, is a private university with 3,300 full- and part-time students enrolled in more than 50 undergraduate and graduate programs. As part of its core mission, the University focuses on professionally oriented programs that prepare students for successful careers, with a strong foundation in the liberal arts and an orientation toward interdisciplinary cooperation. Philadelphia University includes Schools of Architecture, Business Administration, Design and Media, Engineering and Textiles, Liberal Arts, and Science and Health.