BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) " Former UCLA and UAB basketball coach Gene Bartow has been diagnosed with stomach cancer.
The 78-year-old Bartow, currently the president of the company that owns the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, will begin outpatient treatment at the Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham next week, UAB said Wednesday.
Grizzlies majority owner Michael Heisley said in a statement released by the team they recently learned Bartow had become ill with cancer.
"We spoke to him today, and he is doing well, and is very optimistic. Currently we have little information, but we will provide further updates when it becomes available with the blessing of Gene and his family," Heisley said in the statement.
Bartow succeeded John Wooden as UCLA's coach in 1976 and led the Bruins to the Final Four. He left after two seasons to start Alabama-Birmingham's program.
"Coach Bartow is the person most responsible for this athletics program and means so much to UAB and all Blazers," UAB athletic director Brian Mackin said.
Bartow was UAB's coach from 1978-96 before handing the reins to son Murry Bartow " now East Tennessee State's coach " and was the university's athletic director until 2000. He coached the school to the final eight in 1982.
Bartow is to be inducted in the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in November.
The Grizzlies recognized Bartow's selection before Wednesday night's regular-season finale against Atlanta. On the video screen above the court were pictures of Bartow's career as a coach.
Heisley addressed the crowd during the recognition and announced that Bartow was not present because he is in Birmingham "where he is in a fight with stomach cancer." The announcement drew gasps from the crowd, some of whom were unaware of Bartow's situation.
"I've never met a man that I have a greater respect for," Heisley said, asking the crowd to remember Bartow in their prayers.
Bartow won 647 games over 34 seasons. He also coached Memphis State from 1970-74 and guided the school to the 1973 national championship title game, where the Tigers lost to a UCLA team coached by Wooden.