Norman "Coach K" Kaye

Kaye, Norman "Coach K"

the founding father of the Sunshine State Conference and a towering figure in collegiate athletics, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2025 at the age of 94.

A son of immigrants, Kaye was born in Chicago, IL in 1931. He was drafted into the US Army and was a cook while stationed in Korea. His basketball talents earned him the opportunity to play for the US Army team in Europe.

After an honorable discharge in 1956, he went to Lincoln College and began a basketball tradition that elevated Lincoln to a new level. As the head men's basketball coach from 1957-1964, Kaye compiled a record of 135-77. He transformed the team into a championship contender, leading the 1962 Lincoln College men's basketball team to the Illinois state championship and the school's first National Tournament in any sport. During his tenure at Lincoln, he also served as the athletic director.

Following his time at Lincoln College, Coach Kaye enjoyed a highly successful career at St. Leo University where he served as both head basketball coach and athletic director. In 1977, he was appointed Chairman of the Division of Physical Education, a role in which he pioneered the university's professional physical education program, introducing tracks in Sports Management, Teacher Education, and General Physical Education. Kaye also served three years as Dean of Student Affairs and Director of Financial Aid.

In 1974 Coach Kaye founded the Sunshine State Conference, serving as the first commissioner and continuing to serve as Executive Director of the conference for the following 12 years. He contributed greatly to the conference's growth into one of the premier athletic conferences at the NCAA Division Il level.

Coach Kaye's contributions were recognized with inductions into the St. Leo Hall of Fame (1991) and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2004). Coach Kaye affected the lives of young men nationwide as a coach and college administrator and his greatest legacy lives on in the countless students and athletes he mentored, many of whom went on to excel in professional sports, leadership, and life.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mickey, and is a survived by his son, Dave Kaye (Lisa Kaye); grandchildren, Cameron Kaye (Kate Kaye), Griffin Kaye (Eileen Platten); and is mourned by generations of former students, athletes, colleagues, and friends whose lives he touched.

A private family service will be held at a later time. A memorial is being planned at Saint Leo University. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Leo University Norman Kaye Endowed Athletic Scholarship in memory of Coach Norm Kaye to continue his legacy.

To donate, contact the Saint Leo University Development Office by phone at (352) 588-8450 or by email at development@saintleo.edu

His spirit will live on in every scoreboard, every whistle, every team huddle and in the thousands of lives made better by his enduring legacy.

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