Ernest Maurice "Ernie" Vandeweghe Jr. (September 12, 1928 – November 8, 2014) was an American physician, military veteran and professional basketball player best known for his time with the New York Knicks. Over the course of a varied career he combined competitive sport, medical practice and service in the United States Air Force. He was the husband of Colleen Kay Hutchins (Miss America 1952) and the father and grandfather of prominent athletes, including son Kiki Vandeweghe and granddaughter Coco Vandeweghe.
Overview
Vandeweghe emerged as a notable figure in mid-20th century American sport. After playing collegiate basketball, he went on to the professional ranks in the National Basketball Association where he was identified with the New York franchise. Following his playing days he pursued a career in medicine and served his country as a veteran, roles that defined his public life as much as his athletic achievements.
Career and activities
During the early 1950s Vandeweghe competed at the highest level of professional basketball. He balanced athletics with long-term professional ambitions beyond sport, undertaking medical training and later practicing as a physician. His life combined three broad strands:
- Professional sport: NBA player with the New York Knicks.
- Medicine: trained and worked as a physician, maintaining a medical career after athletics (physician).
- Military service: veteran status with the United States Air Force.
Family and legacy
Vandeweghe's family is notable for continuing his athletic legacy. He married Colleen Kay Hutchins, who had been crowned Miss America in 1952. Their son, Kiki Vandeweghe, became an NBA All-Star and later an NBA coach and executive. A later generation produced tennis professional Coco Vandeweghe. The family's profile spans multiple sports and several decades of American athletics.
Death and recognition
Ernie Vandeweghe died on November 8, 2014 in Newport Beach, California, at the age of 86. Obituaries and remembrances emphasized his rare combination of accomplishments in professional sports, medicine and military service, and his role as the patriarch of a multi‑generational athletic family. He is remembered both for his on-court contributions and for a life that bridged competitive athletics and community service.
Notable facts
- Known publicly for his tenure with the New York Knicks while later establishing a civilian medical career (physician).
- Served in the United States Air Force, reflecting a dual commitment to sport and national service.
- Head of a sporting family that includes an NBA All-Star and a professional tennis player, exemplifying the intergenerational nature of athletic talent.
Vandeweghe's life illustrates the multiple paths available to professional athletes of his era: competitive play, professional advancement outside sport, and civic service. His career is often cited when discussing athletes who successfully transitioned to second careers after the playing field.