Enrique A. Vicéns

Enrique "Coco" Alberto Vicéns Sastre (3 September 1926 – 6 March 2015) was a Puerto Rican professional basketball player that also served as senator-at-large in the Puerto Rico State Legislature from 1973 until 1978. He played for the Leones de Ponce basketball team and was also a volleyball player and track and field athlete. His brother was basketball star Juan "Pachín" Vicéns.

Early years Enrique "Coco" Alberto Vicéns Sastre was born September 3, 1926, in Ciales, Puerto Rico. He was one of 13 siblings. He attended high school at Escuela Superior José de Diego in Manati from 1939 to 1943, graduating that year. Starting in 1943 he attended the University of Puerto Rico. He graduated as a medical doctor with a specialty in otorhinolaryngology (ENT).

Sports career From 1943 through 1946, Vicéns played in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional league, winning the national championship in the 1944–45 season. In 1944, and again in 1946, he formed part of Puerto Rico's National Basketball Team competing in Cuba. In 1945, he formed part of the first Puerto Rican college basketball team to play in the United States at Madison Square Garden, Buffalo Memorial Auditorium and Philadelphia Palestra, playing against Valparaiso University, Bowling Green State University and Loyola University. In 1946, Vicéns was also champion in the 800 meter intercollegiate games. He also competed in the 400m and the 4 × 400 m races. He competed in track and field, basketball, and volleyball.

In 1957, he returned to the Leones de Ponce basketball team for the 1957–58 season. From 1959 to 1962 he owned the Ponce Leones team, seeing them into two national victories in the 1960 and 1961 seasons. During 1960, Vicéns was also responsible for the establishment of the first volleyball franchise in Ponce. As a physician, he was part of the medical staff that accompanied the Puerto Rico Delegation to the 1970 Central American and Caribbean Games.

Political career In 1972, Vicéns Sastre ran for electoral office winning a seat in the Puerto Rico State Legislature as senator-at-large from 1973 until 1978.

"Coco" Vicens was a member of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico, which opposes Puerto Rican statehood and favors a commonwealth status relationship with the United States.

Last years and death Vicéns Sastre died on March 6, 2015, at 88 years old. He was buried at Las Mercedes Memorial Park in Ponce, Puerto Rico.