Elnardo Webster, who put Saint Peter’s basketball on the map more than a half-century ago in leading the Peacocks to the NIT semifinals in 1968, has died. He was 74.
Webster died on Tuesday in Morristown, New Jersey, after being hospitalized with a heart issue, former teammates said.
Pat Finnegan, a member of the ’68 team, said he was in the lobby of the hospital to visit Webster when he received a text message from Webster’s wife, Sandra, that her husband had died.
As Saint Peter’s prepared for its biggest game in several decades, it mourned one of its greatest players. Elnardo Webster Cause of Death is heart attack.
Three days before the Peacocks looked to become the first 15th seed to reach the Elite Eight in NCAA Tournament history, Elnardo Webster passed away at the age of 74, friend and one-time teammate Gene O’Connell confirmed.
“He was involved up until the very end,” O’Connell said. “Very, very proud of this team, as we all were. Terrific basketball player for sure and a terrific human being.”
Webster was the star of the last great Saint Peter’s team, nicknamed “Run Baby Run,” because of its fast-paced style and 94 points per game average. Led by Webster, that team upset Duke in the NIT quarterfinals and won 24 games, equaling a program record. The 6-foot-5 Webster averaged 24.8 points and 14.1 rebounds over two seasons with the Peacocks after starting his college career in the junior college ranks.