Ben Carnevale

Bernard Louis Carnevale (October 30, 1915 – March 25, 2008) was an American basketball coach and college athletic administrator. He served as the head basketball coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1944 to 1946 and the United States Naval Academy from 1946 to 1966, compiling a career college basketball coaching record of 309–171. Carnevale was the athletic director at New York University from 1966 to 1972 and the College of William & Mary from 1972 to 1981. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970.

Early years Born in Raritan, New Jersey, Carnevale was a graduate of Somerville High School in Somerville, New Jersey. He graduated from New York University, where he was a member of the 1935 national championship team and played in the first National Invitation Tournament in 1938. While at NYU he was coached by the legendary Howard Cann. He served as a Navy officer during World War II, receiving the Purple Heart.

Career Carnevale was the head basketball coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1944 to 1946. While coaching at UNC, he led the team to their first appearance in the title game. The Tar Heels lost the game to Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State), who won their second national crown under legendary coach Henry Iba.

Carnevale then moved to Navy between 1946 and 1966, compiling a 257–160 record despite being unable to recruit players taller than ; the Naval Academy has long operated with a height restriction for incoming midshipmen and did not grant waivers for taller prospective players in this era. Carnevale was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970.

Personal life Carnevale and his wife, Agnes Curran Carnevale, were married for 65 years and had four sons and a daughter. At the time of his death, they were living in Williamsburg, Virginia. Their son, Mark, was a professional golfer, who won five times on the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour.

Head coaching record