Eastern Michigan Athletics
Former Men's Basketball Great Kennedy McIntosh Passes Away
3/12/2009 1:30:13 PM | Men's Basketball
Michigan Memorial Service planned for Saturday, April 4, at noon
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Kennedy McIntosh, the all-time leading scorer and rebounder in Eastern Michigan University men's basketball history, passed away after suffering a stroke, March 6, at UCLA-Santa Monica Hospital in Los Angeles, Calif. He is survived by his daughter, Kourtney, son, Kevin, daughter, Kai, godson, Sean Higgins, as well as six grandchildren, two sisters and a brother, nieces and nephews and a host of cousins.
A California Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m. in Los Angeles, Calif. while a Michigan Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, at noon in a location in the greater Detroit area. Details of the service will be communicated through ladelfosse@aol.com.
McIntosh helped rule the front court for EMU from 1967-71. In his four years he set standards in scoring and rebounding that have stood the test of time for 38 years. McIntosh holds the EMU career marks for points scored (2,219) and rebounds (1,426) and is the only EMU player to grab more than 1,000 rebounds. He is one of only two players, former standout Earl Boykins is the other one, to reach the 2,000-point plateau.
During his four years on the team, McIntosh led the team to four consecutive post-season national tournaments from 1968-71, with the best finish a national runner-up spot to Kentucky State in the 1971 NAIA Championship Game. McIntosh returned to EMU, Jan. 14, 2006, for a special ceremony at halftime of the EMU-Kent State University men's basketball game when the University retired his No. 54 jersey. McIntosh was the third EMU player to have his jersey raised to the rafters. Former standout George “Iceman” Gervin (1971-72) had his No. 24 jersey retired Jan. 26, 1986 and Grant Long (1985-88) had his No. 43 jersey retired Dec. 2, 2003.
After his collegiate career, McIntosh was selected in the first round of the 1971 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and played for two seasons before joining the Seattle SuperSonics. He retired from the NBA in 1975 due to injuries.
