Gale Catlett

Gale Catlett was inducted into the College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 1992 and recognized as an Outstanding Alumnus in 1999.

Catlett, born in 1940 in Hedgesville, W.Va., was one of the most influential figures in WVU men’s basketball history as both a player and coach. As a student-athlete from 1959-63, he helped lead the Mountaineers to three NCAA Tournament appearances, two Southern Conference titles, and a combined 73-18 record. 

After graduating with a degree in physical education, Catlett began his coaching career as an assistant at Richmond and later served under iconic coaches at Davidson, Kansas and Kentucky. He was named head coach at the University of Cincinnati in 1972 and guided the Bearcats to a 126-44 record, three NCAA Tournament berths, and a trip to the Elite Eight.

In 1978, Catlett returned to Morgantown as WVU’s head coach. Over 24 seasons, he built one of the most consistent programs in the country, compiling a school-record 439 wins and eight NCAA Tournament appearances. His 1998 squad advanced to the Sweet 16, the program’s deepest postseason run since 1963. In total, Catlett led teams to 14 20-win seasons and 11 NCAA bids across his career. He was a five-time Atlantic 10 regular-season champion and earned numerous coaching honors, including Eastern Basketball’s Coach of the Year and finalist recognition for AP National Coach of the Year. When he retired in 2002, he was one of just 45 NCAA Division I coaches to surpass 500 career wins.

Catlett was inducted into the WVU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004 and the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.