After divorcing his first wife, Vivian, George Raveling married Delores Akins-Raveling and spent the rest of his life with her and their two children.
George Raveling was an American basketball coach, Nike executive, and civil rights figure who made history both on and off the court.
Born in Washington, D.C., he played at Villanova before coaching at Washington State, Iowa, and USC.
He became the first Black head coach in the Pac-10 and later helped shape Nike’s global basketball strategy.
Moreover, he famously participated in the 1963 March on Washington and held the original copy of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Tragically, Raveling passed away on September 1, 2025, at age 88, after a long battle with cancer.
On September 2, his family released a statement, which reads:
It is with deep sadness and unimaginable pain that we share the passing of our beloved ‘Coach,’ George Henry Raveling, who faced cancer with courage and grace, He transitioned peacefully at 88, surrounded by family as well as love, faith, and sacred protection. There are no words to fully capture what George meant to his family, friends, colleagues, former players, and assistants − and to the world.
Additionally, his family is asking for privacy during this heartbreaking time.
George Raveling Affectionately Referred to his Wife, Delores, as the “CEO of their Family”
Hall of Fame basketball coach George Raveling was first married to Vivian during the early years of his coaching career.
However, their marriage ended in divorce while he was head coach at Washington State University (1972–1983).
He later married Delores Akins-Raveling, a respected administrator at a community college.
Together, they built what George lovingly called “Team Raveling,” with Delores as the “CEO of their family.”
They raised two children, a son and a daughter.
Marc Raveling, the first child, is a former basketball player. He attended Bernard High School and later played at Drake University.
In 1989, he made headlines by scoring 38 points in a single game, including 26 in the fourth quarter and an incredible 16 points in under two minutes.
Although his team lost that night, Marc’s performance marked a turning point in his athletic journey.
Later, he followed in his father’s footsteps into sports marketing, holding leadership roles at Nike.
Another child, Kristi Raveling, is a communications specialist known for her work in nonprofit advocacy and youth development.
While his wife and children chose to keep a low public profile, George often spoke about the importance of intentional family leadership.
He used to believe that home life deserved the same strategic care as a successful career.
Through decades of professional milestones and personal challenges, his wife and their two children remained by his side.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- George grew up in Washington, D.C., and began playing basketball in high school from 1957 to 1960.
- In 1960, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Warriors, but he didn’t play in the NBA.
- He was inducted into both the College Basketball Hall of Fame (2013) and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2015).
