Background
Wilbur Braithwaite was born to Charles G. and Eva Tuttle Braithwaite in Manti, Utah, and graduated from Manti High School.
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Wilbur Braithwaite
Edit ProfileEducation
University of Michigan. Utah State University.
Career
He was honored with the NFHS award of Merit in 2006, and was selected as an Olympic torch bearer for his city Manti, Utah on February 5, 2002. "Coach" was also known as a poet, philosopher, business-owner, musician, composer, and pen-pal. He is believed to have written thousands of uplifting, hand-written letters over his life to people all over the country including John Wooden and Bob Knight.
During World World War II at the age of 18 years, he served in Company A of the 253rd Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division in the European Theater of Operations.
He was injured by a "Bouncing Betty" landmine and took 11 months to recover. After he returned home, Braithwaite enrolled at Snow College.
He also attended Weber State College, and Utah State University and played basketball and tennis there. Ultimately he earned a master"s degree in physical education and counseling from the University of Michigan.
Together they had 7 children.
He died in his home in 2010. In 37 years of coaching high school basketball, Braithwaite was never given a technical foul. In 1999, Manti High School named its new gym and tennis courts after Braithwaite.
Braithwaite"s philosophy appeared in coach"s quarterly.
A poem of his appeared on the front page of The Washington Coach (the official publication of the Washington State Coaches Association) in fall 2002.
Achievements
Connections
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Born
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Died
April 12, 2010 (aged 84)
Education
Awards
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Purple Heart Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed, while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those wounded or killed, while serving, on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military.