Harry Meeks, the legendary Director of Athletics and Hall-of-Fame Women's Basketball Coach at Vincennes University (VU), passed away on April 21, at the age of 83.
Meeks retired in June 2024 after 33 years of dedicated service to VU, leaving behind a profound legacy in collegiate athletics.
"Our department's heart is heavy with Coach Meeks' passing," stated John Meeks (no relation), current Director of Athletics at VU. "To so many, he was a coach, a mentor, and a leader. His dedication to Vincennes University was unmatched, as he consistently showed what it meant to lead with integrity, humility, and passion. The legacy he built at VU and the impact he had on this campus and the lives of those he coached will be felt for generations."
Meeks began his tenure at VU in 1991 as head coach of the women's basketball team. Over the next three decades, he transformed the program into a national powerhouse, achieving a remarkable 750–283 record—a 72.6% winning percentage—and earning induction into the NJCAA Women's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2020. His teams secured 11 NJCAA National Tournament appearances and produced 26 All-Americans. Most recently, Meeks was honored by the NJCAA with the Coaches Legacy Award, celebrating the all-time winningest coaches in the NJCAA.
In 2010, Meeks expanded his role to become VU's Athletic Director. Under his leadership, the university's athletic programs won eight team national championships across various sports, including men's basketball, tennis, golf, and bowling. He was also instrumental in fostering academic excellence, with his women's basketball program consistently achieving high graduation rates and GPAs.
At Meeks' retirement celebration in June 2024, VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson praised Meeks as "a man of great integrity" whose leadership "enhanced the University's reputation" and whose impact was felt both within the institution and beyond.
A U.S. Navy veteran and native of Staunton, Virginia, Meeks is survived by his daughters, Molly and Melanie, and his grandchildren. His wife, Martha, passed away in 2022. A public memorial service is being planned, with details to be announced by the university.
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