TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Robert C. LeGrand, Jr. 1943-2025 Retired Collegiate Basketball Coach, U.S. Air Force
T he Fort Worth (TX) Alumni Chapter mourns the passing of Robert “Snake” LeG- rand, Jr. (Fort Worth (TX) Alumni 1997) who entered the Chapter Invisible on July 19, 2025, at age 81. LeGrand was a longtime men’s head basketball coach at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Brother LeGrand, Jr. was born on August 28, 1943, in Nashville, TN to Sarah Ann Hardge and Robert Colston LeGrand, Sr. Shortly after his birth, the LeGrand family relocated to New York City before residing in Portsmouth, VA when he was 13. Brother LeGrand attended and played bas- ketball at Crestwood High School in Portsmouth, VA where he got the nickname “Snake” from his high school coach for his prow- ess and ability to “snake” his way up and down the court. After graduating high school, LeGrand served in the United States Air Force from 1963-1967.
“ IN 1976, UTA NAMED LEGRAND AS ITS FIRST BLACK MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM, A FIRST IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. IN 11 SEASONS, HE LED THE MAVERICKS TO THEIR FIRST 20 WIN SEASON.”
named Southland Conference Coach of the Year, Texas College Basketball Coach of the Year, and for several years held the record for most basketball wins at UTA. LeGrand was instrumental in establishing the UTA Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball program, a lasting legacy of his commitment to inclusion and excellence. In 2006, his 1980-81 UTA bas- ketball team was inducted into the UTA Hall of Fame. Snake’s passion and dedi- cation to the game ensured no basketball player was “We are incredibly sad- dened by Coach LeGrand’s passing. He was a wonder- ful ambassador for UTA and our athletics programs and a pillar within this community. We will greatly miss having him around the College Park Center and his spirit and legacy will live on for generations to come.” - Jon Fagg, Director, Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Texas at Arlington
During his two-year tour in England, LeGrand played as a forward for the Chicksands, England based Fighting Chicks in the USAFE U.K. Southern Division. He was named all European player twice and was the 1964/65 leading scorer with 225 points. Upon his honorable discharge in 1967, LeG- rand earned a basketball scholarship to St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX which was one of the first Texas collegiate teams with black players. While there, he was named All Big State Conference. He
graduated in 1970 with a degree in political science. After graduation, in May 1972, LeGrand was named the head basketball coach of Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio, TX. While coaching, he earned a M.A. degree in guidance and counseling in 1973 from Southwest Texas State (now Texas State) University. In 1976, UTA named LeG- rand as its first black men’s basketball team, a first in the state of Texas. In 11 seasons, he led the Mavericks to their first 20 win season and their first NIT tournament appear- ance in 1981. He was also
90 THE JOURNAL ♦ WINTER 2025-2026
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