Michael L. "Mike" McPheron, 52, died November 15, 1999 at his home in Largo, Florida after battling cancer.

McPheron was the Olney Tigers basketball team's leading scorer with 442 points in the 1964-65 season.

He enrolled at Northeast Missouri State, now Truman State University in 1965.

Drafted by the Chicago Bulls, he decided to accept a teaching post at Gulf Junior High.

In 1978, he returned to college to pursue a master's degree in athletic administration at Illinois State University. He coached at University High School and served as an administrative assistant to the Illinois State athletic director, working primarily in public relations and fund raising.

McPheron was a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and Florida Athletic Coaches Association.

Survivors include his wife of 23 years, Linda; two sons, John of Clearwater, Fla. and Todd of Palm Harbor; a daughter, Bridget McPheron of Fargo; his mother, Bernadine McPheron Rennier of Olney and a sister, Mary Beth Sechrest.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)