Oct. 26, 2010
Share Your Roy Skinner Memories | Remembering Roy Skinner | Skinner Obituary
Vanderbilt head coach Kevin Stallings commented on the passing of legendary Commodore basketball coach Roy Skinner. Stallings is second to Skinner on the all-time wins list in Vanderbilt basketball history.
“Roy Skinner set the bar for all Vanderbilt basketball coaches, not only for success on the court, but especially being a gentleman off of it,” said Stallings. “I’ve been very fortunate that Coach Skinner was always willing to share not only his time, but his thoughts and ideas for what it took to be a successful coach and a successful coach at Vanderbilt. And for that, I am extremely grateful.”
More Quotes
David Williams (Vice Chancellor for University Affairs & Athletics, General Counsel and University Secretary):
“Coach Skinner was certainly the people’s choice when it came to identifying candidates for our Athletic Hall of Fame. It was impressive to see how just much he was respected by his former players and throughout this community. That respect came in part because of Roy’s courage to determine and do what was right – such as breaking the SEC’s color barrier in basketball by recruiting Perry Wallace or playing Tennessee State when many thought he had everything to lose by doing so. He was a winner in every way and he represented the very best of Vanderbilt University. While he will be sadly missed, his memory will live on and he will forever be a Commodore. The entire Commodore Nation has lost an outstanding member and we are deeply saddened by his passing.”
Perry Wallace (Vanderbilt Basketball, 1966-70):
“Sorrow and gratitude are my two reactions to Coach Skinner’s passing. Sorrow, because a man who was both great and good has left us. Gratitude, because I had the profound honor to have known him and to have been touched by him in my life. I have said it before, and I say it now, that Coach Skinner was a crucial and central person in my contribution as the first black varsity basketball player in the Southeastern Conference. In that important journey, he provided a steady, sincere presence, and I could not have survived without it. I join the ranks of those who respected him, who loved him, and who will always cherish his time on this earth.”
Jerry Southwood (Vanderbilt Basketball 1965-67; Vanderbilt Freshman Coach 1968-69):
“Coach Skinner was a special man. He carried a low profile; he was very humble and calm. He was interested in molding a team and was easy to play for. We ran a few basic plays but we played all over the country and he never backed away from playing anyone.”
Program unity:
“We are very close-knit and over the years the entire Skinner era has maintained a togetherness. We meet once a month for lunch. Every month a couple dozen guys show up to be with men we care about.”
Regarding his brief coaching experience:
“It was fun to work for Roy. That was something else that made Roy special; he helped so many of his guys find themselves once their playing careers were over. He wasn’t a “play and walk away” guy.”
