Xavier University Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1987
Ned Wulk compiled an 89-70 mark in six seasons as the Musketeer head basketball coach (1951-57). He won 56.0% of his games and his 89 victories put him in eighth place in XU history.
During Wulk's time as head coach, 1951-57, Xavier fieldedthree of its all-time winningest teams: 20-8 (1956-57), 17-11 (1955-56), and 18-12 (1953-54), but have recently been broken with the 1987-88 season (26-4). He guided Xavier to its first two appearances in the National Invitation Tournament in 1956 and 1957.
Jim McCafferty is remembered as the head coach of the 1958 NIT Champions. Ned Wulk should be remembered as the man who built the base. Wulk recruited such XU stars as Jimmy Boothe, Corny Freeman, Fran Stahl, Hank Stein, Fran Tartaron, Dave Piontek, and Joe Viviano.
Through Wulk's efforts in the mid-1950's, the Musketeers grew to national prominence. He led Xavier to the NIT in 1956, knocking off Saint Louis in the first round before losing to Dayton in the second round. He led the Musketeers back to the NIT in 1957, defeating Seton Hall in the first round before losing a 22-point lead and the game to Bradley, 116-81, in the second round. The Bradley turnaround may have cost Wulk his job.
After the 1957 season, Wulk began a long and illustrious career as the head coach at Arizona State. Wulk, who is also a member of the ASU Sports Hall of Fame, is by far the winningest head coach in Arizona State basketball history. He compiled a 406-272 (59.9%) record in 25 seasons as the Sun Devil head coach. He led the Sun Devils into the NCAA Tournament nine times between 1958 and 1982.
Prior to taking over as head coach at Xavier, though, Wulk served as Xavier's assistant football coach and baseball coach. The Wisconsin native served as baseball coach from the time he started at XU in 1948.
A native of Marion, Wisconsin, Wulk gained All-State basketball honors at center in 1937 and 1938. At LaCrosse State Teachers College, he earned nine letters, including two in football, four in basketball, and three in baseball.
