Richard 'Doc' Sauers, the legendary University at Albany basketball coach who amassed 702 career victories and helped revolutionize the game through the three-point shot, died on April 27, 2026, at the age of 96.

Born in Harrison City, Pennsylvania, to Stephen and Edna Sauers, he grew up in Westmoreland County before graduating from Slippery Rock University in 1951 as a standout athlete in basketball and tennis. His coaching career began in 1955 at what was then the New York State College for Teachers. Over the next four decades, he built a powerhouse program on the hardwood. He was named the NCAA Division III Coach of the Year in 1985 after guiding the Great Danes to a 22 win and 6 loss season. (UAlbany Sports)

His influence extended far beyond the local gymnasium. Serving on the NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee for six years, he was a key advocate for the adoption of the three-point line, according to the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, which inducted him in 1992. By the time he coached his 1,000th collegiate game in February 1996, he was only the 15th head coach to reach that milestone. He eventually stepped away from basketball with 330 losses, standing as one of just 11 coaches with at least 700 wins at the time of his departure.

Yet his most surprising and revealing chapter began in 1997. Instead of retreating to a quiet life with his wife Elaine and their sons, including Stephen who followed his father into coaching, Sauers pivoted to a completely different arena. He took over the UAlbany women's golf team. For 15 years, he guided the program, eventually overseeing their transition to Division I before finally retiring in 2012. This humble second act perfectly illustrated his personal mantra: "We Go. Not Ego." He traded the roaring crowds of the court for the quiet greens, proving his true talent was the universal craft of mentorship rather than the pursuit of personal glory.

UAlbany athletic director Mark Benson confirmed his passing, noting the profound institutional impact Sauers left behind, as reported by the Times Union. "Doc Sauers impacted generations of student-athletes, staff and members of the UAlbany community," Benson said. "He embodied what it means to be a Great Dane, committed, compassionate and deeply invested in the success and well-being of others."

Richard Sauers was the literal soul of Albany athletics across multiple generations. Whether he was drawing up a game winning play or offering a quiet word of encouragement on the fairway, he shaped the character of countless young athletes. His legacy is not merely etched in record books or Hall of Fame plaques, but in the enduring spirit of a university that learned how to lead with humility from a man who always put his students first.