Seminoles Family Mourns the Passing Hall of Fame PG Otto Petty

The Florida State sports family is mourning the passing of former Seminole point guard Otto Petty at age 76.  Petty was inducted into the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992. He held the school record for assists with 602, a record that stood for 21 years. Later, Charlie Ward broke the record.

Petty, with his ball-handling skills that would make the Harlem Globetrotters take notice, helped lead the Seminoles, coached by Hugh Durham, to a 27-6 record and a berth in the 1972 national championship game. Petty led the Seminoles with around-the-back passing and between the legs assists on their way to the Final Four. 

Petty and the Seminoles blew through their competition: Eastern Kentucky, Minnesota, Kentucky (coach Adolph Rupp did not offer Petty a scholarship), and North Carolina, led by Bob McAdoo. Petty shredded the North Carolina full-court press, on their way to defeating Dean Smith's Tar Heels.

Next up was the Wizard of Westwood, John Wooden, and his talented and undefeated Bruins team for a shot at the national title. That UCLA team was led by Bill Walton, Henry Bibby, Keith Wilkes and Swen Nater. Florida State gave the Bruins all they could handle before coming up short in a 86-81 loss. The Bruins finished as national champions and undefeated at 30-0. 

Petty and his brilliant play on the hardwood helped to raise the Florida State basketball to new heights for years to come.