BUFFALO, NY - Canisius lost a great coaching legend and friend on July 7 with the passing of Robert A. MacKinnon ’50, MS ’62. He was 87. MacKinnon’s history at Canisius was extensive.
As a student-athlete, he played four seasons of varsity basketball, tallying 591 career points in 103 games. MacKinnon also played third base on the Canisius baseball team.
MacKinnon pursued a professional sports career. He played baseball in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization, and later basketball for the Syracuse Nationals before returning to alma mater in 1953 to become head baseball coach, freshman basketball coach and varsity basketball assistant coach. A few years later, Canisius promoted MacKinnon to head basketball coach and athletic director.
During his tenure as the Griff’s head coach (1959-1972), MacKinnon posted 142 wins, which included the memorable 1963 season when the Blue and Gold went 19-7 overall before eventually falling to Providence in the NIT Championship game at Madison Square Garden.
MacKinnon is a member of the first induction class to Canisius’ Sports Hall of Fame (1963).
To read more about Bob MacKinnon's Canisius career, click here.
