Merv Lopes, the legendary Chaminade coach, passed away this week at 92. In 1982, Lopes led Chaminade’s underdog team to a stunning 77-72 victory over top-ranked Virginia at Blaisdell Arena.
HONOLULU (Island News) — Iconic local men’s college basketball coach Merv Lopes, known for numerous accomplishments, including helping an underdog Chaminade team topple the number one ranked team in America, died this week.
Lopes accomplished what many considered to be an impossible feat in 1982, when he led NAIA Chaminade to a 77-72 win over top ranked Division I powerhouse Virginia at Blaisdell Arena.
The Silverswords defeated a UVA team that was led by 7-foot-4 big man Ralph Sampson who soared in height over Chaminade’s front line.
One of Chaminade’s former players on the ’82 team (and relative of Lopes) Mark Rodrigues told Island News, “Merv’s main thing , one of his Mervisms I would always say:Â ‘They’re only as good as you allow them to be.'”
“He was a great motivator. He helped you believe you could go out and get things done… anything, as long as you don’t put anybody on a pedestal, “added Rodrigues.
The Virginia upset was reportedly the catalyst for the creation of the iconic Maui Invitational college hoops tournament.
Coach Lopes remains the winningest coach in Chaminade school history with 238 victories over 12 years.
Rodrigues also shared, “Merv used to say, ‘Just play as if there’s a sheet over the scoreboard, regardless of what the score is. Throughout the game, play hard, execute.’ Before every practice you always had a meditation period.”
The ’82 Chaminade team was known as the “Giant Killers.”
Coach Lopes passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 92. He was a Nanakuli native and attended Waipahu High School, before transferring to Iolani school.
Even after his coaching days ended, Lopes remained a mentor and positive force in the community, helping others on and off the court.
