Former Eastern Illinois coach Carey dies at 88

CHARLESTON -- Former Eastern Illinois University basketball and golf coach Robert Carey has died. He was 88.

Carey was head basketball coach from 1953 through 1964 and golf coach from 1954-1977. He died Friday in Phoenix.

His 1957 basketball team reached the NAIA semifinals. His golf teams played in three NAIA championships and one NCAA Division II championship. Their best finish was eighth place.

Former Eastern Illinois player John Milholland played for Carey in the late 1950s. Milholland says Carey was a great coach and motivator. He also says Carey treated his players like his sons.

Carey's friends hope to have a memorial for him in Charleston but haven't set a date.