Dec. 13, 2010

Corvallis, Ore. -

By Kip Carlson

Early November. A rainy, cold night in Corvallis. Inside Gill Coliseum, Oregon State prepares to tip off its season with an exhibition against Western Oregon.

In the front row of Section A, immediately behind the OSU bench, Paul Valenti greets acquaintances and well-wishers. He was here the night they opened the building in 1949, and sometimes it seems as though he has been in Gill Coliseum practically every day since.

It's the start of Valenti's 69th basketball season at Oregon State - four as a player, 18 as an assistant coach, six as the head coach, and 41 as an administrator. Throw in the spring he spent as Rook (freshman) baseball coach upon returning from U.S. Navy service during World War II, and 2010-11 marks Valenti's 70th school year on the OSU campus.

To continue reading follow this link to the OSU Alumni Association’s webpage.