J. Anthony Laterza (1975) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

J. Anthony Laterza

Induction:
1975
Class:
1954

INAUGURAL CLASS
1949-50 Football
1960-68 Men's Basketball Head Coach

Tony Laterza

Anthony "Tony" Laterza was the Akron Zips men's basketball head coach from 1960-68. In nine seasons, he guided the team to a 178-59 record. Coach Laterza’s winning percentage of .751 remains the best in the history of the program.

Under Coach Laterza, the Zips won three Ohio Athletic Conference tournament championships. His teams also made the Division II national tournament Final Four twice (1964 and 1966) and reached the championship game in 1964.

A great athlete in both high school and college. He played under his great friend and teacher, Eddie Wentz, at St. Vincent High School. Then became a football star at the University of Akron. Under Bud Houghton, he earned All-Ohio and All-Ohio Conference honors and captained the teams in both 1949 and 1950.

Although a fine football player, he ended up coaching basketball– first at his alma mater St. Vincent and then on to Akron as an assistant to Russ Beichly. Laterza became head coach in 1959 on Beichly's retirement.

Under the glare of TV lights and national rating services, Laterza's teams enjoyed the glory years: 178 victories, three Ohio-Conference Championships, a runner-up in the National Championship (1963-64), a third place in the Nationals (1965-66), and never a losing season!

Laterza was inducted into the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame as a coach in 1971.