Ex-NBA Coach, GM Dick Versace Returns to Roots at Gordon Tech

Keeping The Suitcase Unpackedverscace 3

Versace said he never made more than $9,000 a year at Gordon, and with two kids — Dave and Julie — to feed, he knew he’d have to look for greener pastures. As Versace said, “the money trail leads to the NBA.”

Versace has made enough money in the game to live comfortably. If he wants to spend three weeks at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, Fla., he does just that. His wish to eventually pay for his children’s college costs came through. He sent Dave to the University of Illinois and Julie to the University of Illinois at Chicago.

“It was great that he did it for us,” said Dave Versace, 49, of Ravenswood Manor. “He always stressed to us that education was the most important thing.”

Versace has had five lofts in the city, including his current West Loop residence. The former NBA coach has such affection for Chicago that he’s had an official residence here since the 1980s, even when he headed the program at Bradley in Peoria.

“I love Chicago,” Versace said. “My father [Humbert] was a West Pointer, and he moved us all over the world. I never could say I was from anywhere, but I decided to make Chicago my home.”

Versace has been pleased with Gordon Tech’s growth under Kleinschmidt, who has guided the Rams to a 9-7 record this season.

“I think they’re on their way,” Versace said. “They have a lot of young kids that are pretty good. And I think Tommy is very charismatic who will attract a lot of great players. He already has done that.”

Dave Versace said he wouldn’t be surprised if his dad returned to coaching full time. But Versace said he is “enjoying the periphery, consulting thing.”

When Daly retired in 1999, he told Versace that he “couldn’t pack one more suitcase.”

“That’s how I feel now,” Versace said.

Article Appeared @http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140114/north-center/ex-nba-coach-gm-dick-versace-returns-roots-at-gordon-tech

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