"Play the Game Right"
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The arrival of "Wilt the Stilt" Chamberlain in Los Angeles created one large 7 foot head ache for Coach Butch van Breda Kolff. Whereas Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, both legendary superstars, responded positively to Butch's "hands on" coaching policies, Wilt resisted the advice and instructions of his new coach.

Although the Lakers advanced to the finals of the NBA for the 1968-1969 season, Butch recognized the conflict with Wilt and dealt

with it as best he could. But in the NBA play-off game, with the series tied at 3-3 and the Lakers playing poorly, Wilt took himself from the game claiming an injured leg. Butch replaced Stilt with Mel Counts and the Lakers closed the deficit to one point. When Wilt wanted to reenter the game, VBK denied him entry and told him to "sit down." The Lakers subsequently lost 108-106, Butch was the scapegoat, and his career as Coach of the Lakers was over.

Subsequently, he took on the Detroit Pistons and the New Orleans Jazz as potential turn-around situations. He instantly improved the records of both franchises, but confrontations with club-owner who seemed forever critical of his life-style eventually led him away from the NBA. He returned briefly to coached at the College level where he led the University of New Orleans to a Sun Belt conference title. Then, he coached the New Orleans Pride, a woman's professional team. When the Women's equivalent of the NBA folded, Butch suddenly found himself unemployed.

For the hyper-active VBK, the two years away from basketball, two years without a coaching position, were the worst years of his life. As a last resort, he inquired about high school basketball and he found a job at Picayune HS in Mississippi. He utilized the same resources and energies in coaching the five black orphaned players as he did with his NBA and college level players. His unfettered spirit caught the eye of the media, and Butch was back in the limelight again.

In 1984, Lafayette College sought to rebuild its suddenly floundering basketball program, and after an extensive search, Butch was rehired after a 29-year absence from the Easton campus. Four years later, the Leopards finished 19-10, won the regular season East Coast Conference title, and highlighted their season with a major upset of nationally ranked Notre Dame. The Irish were coached by Digger Phelps, who elected not to wear his kelly-green boutonniere that evening. It was the last time he coached a game without it.

After winding up his coaching career at Hofstra, Butch retired to Florida. It is hard to believe, as you drive up to his residence, you first turn left on "Peace Street" and then cross to "Quiet Street." For the ex-marine corps Sergeant who constantly bellowed at his players and the referees, Butch's 44 years in coaching were anything but "Peace and Quiet."

In mid-March 2001, the Board of Trustees of Lafayette College announced that Butch van Breda Kolff would be inducted into the school's athletic Hall of Fame at the annual ceremony on November 16th. His inclusion to the Hall of Fame would bring the total membership to 91, a select few from a program, which has been in place since the late 1800's.