TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Herman R. Pittman 1927-2022 High School Coach, Educator, U. S. Army
L ongtime South Florida high basketball coach Herman R. Pittman (Alpha Xi 1949) entered the Chapter Invisible on Feb- ruary 11, 2022, at age 94. From the 1950s through the 1970s, Pittman’s led a high school basketball dynasty, winning four Florida state championships. Equally impressive was his tremen- dous impact on the lives of the many thousands of students he taught during his 38 years as an educator for the Broward County Public School System. Nicknamed “Big Man,” Herman Rudolph Pittman was born on November 14, 1927, and reared by his grandmother. He grew up in Tampa, FL, and attended Carver Junior High and Mid- dleton Senior High Schools from 1943 until 1947. Pittman played as point guard for Tampa Middleton High School and was named captain of his football and basketball teams. Florida Agricultural and Mechan- ical University (FAMU) awarded Pittman an athletic
scholarship, where he earned a B.S. degree in physical education. While at FAMU, he lettered as a backup quarterback on the football team and the starting guard on the basketball team. He led FAMU to two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) champi- onships. He made first-team All-SIAC and was named to the All-SIAC Tournament team for two years. After graduating from FAMU, Pittman served in the United States Army and was named co-captain of the Fort Meade (MD) Generals. He later earned an M.S. in physical educa- tion from the University of Indiana-Bloomington. Pittman’s first coaching position was at Tallahassee’s Bond Junior High School in 1953-54. He subsequently moved to Fort Lauderdale to lead the men’s basketball program at Dillard High School Panthers. Pittman’s won seven conference and six district championships during his coaching career. His teams
also qualified for seven state championships, winning four state titles. His teams also qualified to participate in the National High School Tour- nament held at Tennessee State College (now Univer- sity) in Nashville, TN in 1959 and 1963. In 1965, the team traveled to Alabama State College (now University) in Montgomery, AL, to play in the National High School Tournament. Pittman was named Coach of the Year five times. Pittman compiled a career record of 317 wins and 131 losses during high school coaching. He also coached at Deerfield High School. Pittman taught physical education and driver’s edu- cation for 37 years. During the summers, he taught swimming lessons, was a lifeguard for the county beach, and served as a Parks and Recreation Coordinator for over 20 years. A Life Member of the Fraternity, Pittman was a Ft. Lauderdale (FL) AL member. Pittman held membership in the First Baptist Piney Grove
Church, The Kiwanis Club of Central Broward, FAMU Alumni Association, and the Dillard Task Force. In 1978, FAMU inducted Pittman into its Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also a Bro- ward County (FL) Sports Hall of Fame member. In 2013, the Broward County Historical Commission bestowed Pittman with its Broward County Pioneer honor. A few days after Pittman’s 90th birthday in 2017, Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) (Alpha Delta 1954) presented a resolution on the floor of the United States Congress recognizing Pittman’s long successful career as a high school coach and educator. Preceded by his grandson, Cody, Coach Herman R. Pittman is survived by his wife of 70 years, the former Nielza Miller, daughters Linda (Larry), Lisa (Rick), Lavette; grandchildren Chelsey, Colin, Mika; great-grandchild Zhuri, and a host of family, former students, and players. ♦
50 THE JOURNAL ♦ SPRING 2024
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