EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Funeral services were held on Wednesday to honor Mary Haskins, wife to legendary basketball head coach Don Haskins.
Mary passed at the end of April at the age of 93.
The two met back in 1950 during their studies at Oklahoma State, marrying two years later in 1952. The couple were married for over 56 years, up until Don’s death in 2008.
Mary stood by Don’s side through his historic coaching career at Texas Western securing the national title in 1966 while pushing the nations racial temperature.
Mary was considered the first lady of UTEP basketball, many remembering her as a sweet and soft spoken women. She complimented Don’s gruff personality well, who was nicknamed ‘The Bear.’
“When I met her, it was a warm feeling,” said former Miner Nevil Shed, (1964-1967). “When times got, hard she’d always say, ‘don’t worry about it, it’s going to be all right.’ Many times she saved my bacon from with the man (Don) who was the one that put the put the hammer down.”
“My mom kept every thing together,” said Mary and Don’s son, Steve Haskins. “My dad did what he had to do, and she was a great coach’s wife and a great mom. She was the nicest, sweetest, kindest person I’ve ever known.”
Mary become mom to many, creating homes away from homes for countless amount of players that came through Texas Westerns program.
“Coming from New York, my parents always said, ‘I hope you’re going to be in a place where they’re going to take care of you.’ Mary truly was my second mom,” said Shed.
“She had a way to make people feel good about themselves when they’re around. Nevil told me a story last night about being alone by himself in town on holiday. She made sure he got to stay with the family.”
“I think behind every great coach is a great coaches wife.,” said current UTEP head coach Joe Golding. “They just sacrifice so much of their life for us because we’re never around. We’re always with other players – so they raise our kids and then they raise our players. I think Mary exemplifies that in everything she did and what she was about. She’ll always be the first lady of UTEP basketball, just like coach Don will always be the GOAT of UTEP basketball.”
Other names in attendance included Don’s former assistant coach who then went on to take over as head coach, Tim Floyd.
All spoke of Mary’s kind and loving nature.
Mary and Don are survived by their two sons, three grandsons and one great-grand child.
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