Syracuse, N.Y. -- Larry Loudis played on one of the best Syracuse basketball teams in the school's history and was teammates with a future NFL Hall of Famer.
As a sophomore at SU in 1956, he played on a Syracuse basketball squad that featured All-American guard Vince Cohen and a powerfully-built forward named Jim Brown, who happened to be the star running back on the school's football team.
As a junior, Loudis played on the first Syracuse team to earn an NCAA tournament invitation. That advanced to the East Region finals of the 1957 NCAA tournament before losing to eventual national champion North Carolina. That 1957 team included illustrious names like Cohen, Manny Breland and Jon Cincebox.
Loudis passed away on Wednesday at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, according to his obituary. He was 88 years old.
A native of Schenectady where he played at Mount Pleasant High School, Loudis came to Syracuse in 1954 and was on the varsity squad from 1956 to 1958. He came off the bench in his first two years, but became a starter and a captain on the 1958 team.
After graduation, Loudis stayed in the Syracuse area. He became a teacher. In 1969, he took on the role of head boys basketball coach at East Syracuse-Minoa High School. He coached the Spartans' varsity for seven seasons. He continued to teach before retiring in 1996.
Loudis also worked for years at the popular Scotch 'N Sirloin restaurant in DeWitt where, according to his obituary, everyone referred to him as "Coach.'
Larry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joy, and their three children; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
According to his obituary, there will be no funeral services, per Larry's personal wishes.