Virginia Tech lost one of the greatest rebounders in Hokie basketball history and one of the greatest lovers of everything VT on Monday when Bill Matthews died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 73.

Bill played at VT in the mid-1950′s, captaining the team his final three years. He finished his career with an eye-popping average of 13.8 rebounds per game. He still ranks second in rebounds all-time at Virginia Tech with 1379, behind Chris Smith. Matthews also averaged 16.5 points per game for his career and is 11th on Tech’s all-time scoring list. Zabian Dowdell bumped Bill from the top-10 two years ago.

Unfortunately, the Hokies were not good back then, going 14-63 over Bill’s first three seasons. But in 1955-56, his senior year, he led Tech to a 14-11 record. In Bill’s junior season, he averaged 18.8 rebounds per game!

After his playing days were over, Bill later became the Virginia Tech basketball head coach from 1962-1964. He then served in the Athletic Department until 1986.

Matthews was inducted into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Helen, four children, and six grandchildren.

Sources: Roanoke Times Article and Virginia Tech Basketball Media Guide

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