Former basketball coach and TV commentator Stan Van Gundy and his wife Kim were married for over two decades until her tragic passing in August 2023.
Stanley Alan Van Gundy, known as “Stan Van Gundy,” has served as the head coach for several prominent NBA teams.
Apart from his coaching and commentary career, he also played as a shooting guard at SUNY-Brockport, a Division III school.
Subsequently, he began his coaching career in 1981 as an assistant coach at the University of Vermont.
He then advanced in his career, guiding several NBA teams, with the most recent one being the New Orleans Pelicans.
Currently, Stan works as the TV commentator for the NBA on TNT and College Basketball on CBS.
Stan Van Gundy Disclosed That His Wife’s Passing Was Due to Suicide
Stan met Kim in 1984 while she worked in the admissions office at Castleton State College in Vermont.
At that time, Stan Van Gundy was also working as the school’s new men’s basketball coach.
The couple exchanged their vows on May 28, 1998, and are proud parents of four children: Shannon, Michael, Alison, and Kelly.
Unfortunately, on August 16, 2023, Kim took her last breath at 61, with the cause of her demise initially described as “unexpected”.
in a powerful moment former NBA head coach Stan Van Gundy opens up about his wife passing away last year in August, and he reveals it was by suicide
— SOUND | Victor Baez (@itsavibe) May 26, 2024
“She took her own life, Dan… I’ll never… I don’t care how long it goes, I can’t imagine that I’ll ever get over that… I just… pic.twitter.com/gmHS990iiu
Months after her passing, Stan revealed on the “South Beach Sessions” podcast that Kim died by suicide.
Stan heartbreakingly expressed his grief, saying,
She took her own life, Dan. I can’t imagine that I’ll ever get over that. … It was devastating. My entire adult life, I trace everything — job changes, kids, everything — I was with her, and she was by my side. I never, ever envisioned that I was going to live any day in my life without Kim
Via LeBatardShow
Furthermore, he shared that Kim had been diagnosed with a mental illness and was going through difficult times.
Stan further explained that, even though it has been eight months, he still struggles to grasp the fact that he won’t see her again.
This showcases the profound love the lasting couple shared over three decades of togetherness.
The former coach said that he is in therapy and that his children are helping him keep it together.
Seminole State College Established Two Endowed Scholarships Honoring His Wife, Kim Van Gundy
According to Kim’s LinkedIn, she graduated from Castleton University with an Associate of Science(AS) in 1983.
In addition, she later earned a Master’s in education at the Fordham University.
Kim had multiple roles in higher education, including assistant director of admissions at Castleton State College and Middlesex College in Massachusetts.
Stan Van Gundy’s wife, Kim has unexpectedly passed away at the age of 61.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 23, 2023
Prayers 🙏 pic.twitter.com/4PS55TuvxK
Over the years, she has dedicated herself to supporting non-traditional students striving to improve their lives through education.
Apart from her professional career, Kim also had a deep interest in and passion for Interior design.
As a result of her years of committed service, the Foundation for Seminole State College established two endowed scholarships to honor her legacy on the first anniversary of her passing.
The scholarship, funded by Kim’s family, is designed to support students pursuing degrees in interior design and education.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Stan Van Gundy’s younger brother Jeff Van Gundy has coached two teams in the NBA as well.
- Van Gundy is a frequent critic of President Donald Trump.
- The former coach is also teaching a sports business course at Stetson University.
- The veteran was born on August 26, 1959, to Cindy and Bill Van Gundy, a former basketball coach.
