Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saluki Hall of Famer Harry Gallatin (1927-2015)
10/07/2015 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
Saluki Hall of Famer Harry Gallatin has passed away at the age of 88.
Gallatin recorded a 79-35 record in four seasons (1959-62) as head coach at Southern Illinois University. Among SIU head coaches, only Chris Lowery won more games in his first four seasons. Gallatin's teams were the first in school history to make the small-college NCAA Tournament doing so in 1959, 1960 and 1961. He led the Salukis to three 20-win seasons and three IIAC conference championships.
A veteran of World War II, Gallatin played nine years in the NBA for the New York Knicks and was selected to play in seven All-Star games. He currently ranks fourth all-time on the Knicks rebounding list with 5,935 rebounds. On the final night of the 1952-53 season, Gallatin hauled in 33 rebounds against the Fort Wayne Pistons, a Knicks record which still stands.
Harry "The Horse" Gallatin is perhaps best-known for his work ethic, never missing a game or practice in his career. He played 610 consecutive games with the Knicks, a record which also remains to this day. During his career, Gallatin collected 8,843 points and 6,684 rebounds.
Gallatin was inducted into the Saluki Hall of Fame in 2015, and is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, as well as six other Halls of Fame.
"The basketball program was in the doldrums when he came to Southern, and he was a very forward-thinking coach," recalled long-time SIU administrator Harold Bardo, who played for Gallatin. "Everything they did with the Knicks we did. I think our style of play was very pleasing to the fans. The guy was a competitor. He'd play against us and teach us tricks that he'd learned in the pros. He got along well with people, and always had a laugh and a smile on his face."
The native of Roxana, Ill. served as the Director of Athletics at sister school SIUE from 1967 to 1972. He led SIUE's men's golf program to 18 NCAA Division II Championship appearances and produced multiple All-Americans. Gallatin was a member of SIUE Athletics inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2005.
