The official Dayton basketball Twitter account released a statement that read, “We are saddened to hear of the passing of coach Chaney. He was a fierce competitor and iconic figure in the game. Coach Chaney was always a class act and beloved by Flyer fans. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and former players. May he rest in peace.”

Chaney will forever be remembered in Dayton in part because of a comment he made in 2002. He offended Dayton fans and then endeared himself to them. He made the comment in January of 2002 when asked about the Atlantic 10 tournament moving from Philadelphia to Dayton in 2003.

“Why should the three of us (Temple, La Salle and Saint Joseph’s) have to go to Dayton?” Chaney said. “Money talks. Dayton will draw a bigger crowd even though it’s in the sticks somewhere.”

When Temple played its first game at UD Arena after that comment later that season, UD students were ready to “stick” it to Chaney. Students held a sign that read, “Welcome to the Stix.” Another sign read, “Howdy, Coach!” Students wore John Deere hats, playing up the country theme.

Greg Popham, who was president of the Red Scare student section at UD Arena that year, remembers Feb. 27, 2002, well.

“We were blowing up balloons, passing out hats and decorating above the floor hours before the game,” Popham said, “and Coach came up to say hello. He was so gracious: taking photos, telling stories, laughing. He was so entertained by the whole thing. He might have even apologized once for calling us the sticks but said it was all in good fun. He insisted on posing with us in a straw hat, too. My respect for him went up another level after that.”

Dayton lost the game that day, 75-70 in overtime, but won the A-10 tournament a year later by beating Temple 79-72 in the final. In the postgame press conference after that loss, Chaney praised Dayton coach Oliver Purnell.

“He’s really developed the program, and it’s going to continue to flourish,” Chaney said. “He’s got great players, and they’re respectful. They make statements, not just by verbalizing it. They make statements with their behavior. You’ve got a great coach. Just make sure you take care of him.”

By that point, all had been forgiven for the “in the sticks” comment, but it’s well remembered. Here’s the Feb. 28, 2002, story Bucky Albers wrote for the Dayton Daily News about Chaney earning forgiveness.

CHANEY HAS A BLAST WITH `GREAT’ UD FANS

Temple coach chats with `protesting’ fans, signs autographs

DAYTON — John Chaney got a big kick out of it.

When the Temple University basketball coach walked into the University of Dayton Arena on Wednesday night and saw the UD students wearing farmers’ clothing to mock his reference to Dayton being “in the sticks,” Chaney sat down at the edge of the student section and signed autographs for more than 15 minutes.

The Red Scare, a UD student booster organization, purchased 120 green John Deere hats with `UD Flyers’ stitched on the back and another 100 straw hats. Each member of the group received one as they entered the arena.

Forty-five minutes before the game, Red Scare members formed a line down the aisle next to section 107 and had Chaney autograph their hats. He tried on both the John Deere hat and the straw hat, and had his picture taken.

“Welcome to The Sticks, Coach Chaney,” one UD student said as he presented his hat.

“This is great,” Chaney said. “This reminds me of West Virginia when I’d go there and they all had my faces (in cardboard).’

Chaney looked at one of the students and said, “I always start trouble, don’t I?”

“I love it when they hate me. But these people aren’t capable of hating anybody. I love ‘em. They’re great fans.”

Chaney said they don’t get John Deere hats like that in Philadelphia, and someone told him that you have to live in the sticks to wear John Deere hats.

“We’ve got Sticks in Philly,” Chaney countered.

Willie Morris III wore a straw hat as he played the national anthem on his saxophone, and the students were singing Old McDonald Had A Farm as the Temple team was introduced.

When Chaney was announced, the crowd booed, and Chaney broke into a big smile.

After the introductions, UD coach Oliver Purnell presented Chaney with a crystal memento to salute his induction into the College Basketball Hall of Fame. The crowd applauded Chaney, who took his gift to the bench and then walked over to the student section and asked Morris if he could have his straw hat.

Chaney then walked onto the court wearing the straw hat as the crowd applauded.