Hank Nichols obit

Villanova Mourns the Loss of Hall of Fame Official Hank Nichols

 He was not on the list.

VILLANOVA, Pa. – Dr. Henry Nichols, a 1958 Villanova graduate who went on to a legendary career as an NCAA basketball official, has passed away at the age of 89.

A multi-sport athlete from Niagara Falls, New York, Nichols came to Villanova on a baseball scholarship. He would emerge as a standout catcher for the Wildcats and later played three seasons of minor league professional baseball. In 1995, he was inducted into the Villanova Varsity Club Hall of Fame – one of six Halls of Fame that he would ultimately be honored by.

In 1969, he began a distinguished career as a Division I basketball referee that in 2012 earned him a place in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. His official Hall of Fame biography notes:

"When Hank Nichols walked out onto the floor, coaches and players and even fans knew they were going to get a fair shake. One of the most respected referees in history, Nichols officiated six NCAA national championship games, ten Final Fours, and two Olympics including the 1984 bronze medal game in Los Angeles. The Niagara Falls native called two of college basketball's most memorable games. The first - the 1975 national championship game between college basketball giants UCLA and the University of Kentucky - was the last game in the legendary career of Coach John Wooden. The second was the Bird-Magic showdown in the 1979 national title game, still the highest-rated college basketball broadcast in network history.

"The only official to work the NCAA and NIT championships in the same year, Nichols assumed the role of the NCAA's first coordinator of officials in 1986 where he studied officiating and began to standardize game-calling across the country. Once called the John Wooden of officials, Nichols commanded respect and gave it back in return."

Throughout the course of his officiating career, Nichols was a familiar face on Villanova's campus as he also served as the longtime chair of the Education department. He retired as the first NCAA national coordinator of officials in 2007 and was still seen frequently on campus in recent years.

Funeral arrangements are pending.