A standout basketball player and coach at the University was honored at this year’s Carlesimo Golf Tournament and Award Dinner in June.
Bob Bessoir ’55, who served in a variety of roles at Scranton during his legendary career, was recognized at the annual fundraising event on June 20 at Saucon Valley Country Club. More than 250 guests, including keynote speaker P.J. Carlesimo, attended the event.
Bessoir played four seasons for the Royals, finishing his career with 1,078 points and 838 rebounds. In his final college game, Bessoir pulled down a school-record 43 rebounds, an effort no other Royal has come close to matching.
During his 29 seasons as men’s basketball head coach, Bessoir led the Royals to 554 victories and was named national coach of the year in 1983 and 1992. In 1976, he guided the Royals to the University’s first National Championship, a feat they repeated in 1983. All in all, Bessoir led the Royals to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, 14 Middle Atlantic Conference titles and 13 seasons of at least 20 wins.
Bessoir also served as acting director of Athletics, head men’s tennis coach, head baseball coach, professor of physical education and director of the National Youth Sports Program. Of all the jobs that Bessoir held at the University, it is his coaching prowess that Royals fans will never forget.
Named in honor of Peter A. Carlesimo, former University of Scranton coach and athletics director, the Carlesimo Golf Tournament and Award Dinner honors a person who has made special contributions to athletics and Catholic education. This year’s event raised more than $100,000 for athletics at Scranton and will help provide a transformational experience for the University’s student-athletes.
For more information on ways to support Scranton Athletics, please visit scranton.edu/athleticsfund.
