Former Boston Celtics forward Ernie Barrett, who starred at Kansas State and spent 75 years at the school as an athlete, coach and administrator, died Friday in his hometown of Manhattan, Kansas. He was 93.

Barrett's family announced his death. A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday at Bramlage Coliseum, where the Wildcats play their basketball games and where a banner recognizing Barrett's achievements hangs from the rafters.

“He came to visit me before every home game and was incredibly welcoming to me and my staff in our first year,” said Kansas State men's basketball coach Jerome Tang, who led the Wildcats on a surprising Elite Eight run this past season. “No one loved this university and its basketball team more than him.”