Associated Press - June 15, 2009 5:15 PM ET

CRETE, Neb. (AP) - Legendary Doane College men's basketball coach Bob Erickson, who retired in 1998, has died.

A written release from the college in Crete says Erickson died Sunday. He was 79.

Erickson, originally from Wakefield, Neb., played football and basketball at Doane College until he graduated in 1957. He returned to the college in 1962 as the men's basketball coach, garnering his first winning season three years later with a 16-9 record. That marked the first of 13 consecutive winning seasons for Erickson.

Erickson served as Doane College Athletic Director from 1972-98, in addition to his coaching duties.

Before retiring in 1998, Erickson amassed a 589-483 record and 27 winning seasons.

In 1997, he was inducted in to the NAIA Hall-of-Fame.

Funeral services will be Thursday at Christ's Place Church in Lincoln.

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