Jan Volk
Encyclopedia
Jan Volk is a former basketball executive who served as the General Manager of the Boston Celtics
from 1984–1997.
Volk joined the Celtics in 1971 after graduating from Columbia Law School
. His early work with the team included ticket sales director, manager of equipment purchases, traveling secretary, business manager, and general counsel. In 1976 he was promoted to vice president and in 1980 was named Assistant General Manager. When Red Auerbach
announced that he would retire as Celtics general manager following the 1984 NBA Draft
, he designated Volk as his preference as his successor. On July 11, 1984 Volk was officially named General Manager of the Boston Celtics.
Volk's first move as Celtics General Manager came on October 16, 1984 when he traded Gerald Henderson
to the Seattle SuperSonics
for a 1st round pick in the 1986 NBA Draft
. In his first season as GM, the Celtics had a 63-19 record and returned to the NBA Finals
, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers
in six games.
For the 1985-86 season, Volk drafted Sam Vincent
and traded for Bill Walton
and Jerry Sichting
. In his second season as GM, the Celtics won the NBA Championship, defeating the Houston Rockets
4-2.
Using the draft pick he obtained as compensation for Gerald Henderson, Volk selected Len Bias
with the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft
. On June 20, 1986, three days after the draft, Bias died of a cardiac arrhythmia related to usage of cocaine. Despite the death of their top draft pick, the Celtics finished the 1986-87 season with a 59-23 and appeared in their fourth consecutive NBA Finals, losing to the Lakers 4-2.
The Celtics made the playoffs during each of Volk's next six seasons as GM, but did not return to the NBA Finals. After a 32-50 1993-94 season, many of Volk's responsibilities, including the drafting and signing of players, were reassigned to Director of Basketball Operations M. L. Carr
. He resigned from the team on May 6, 1997, allowing incoming team president and head coach Rick Pitino
to hire his own General Manager.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
from 1984–1997.
Volk joined the Celtics in 1971 after graduating from Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
. His early work with the team included ticket sales director, manager of equipment purchases, traveling secretary, business manager, and general counsel. In 1976 he was promoted to vice president and in 1980 was named Assistant General Manager. When Red Auerbach
Red Auerbach
Arnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach was an American basketball coach of the Washington Capitols, the Tri-Cities Blackhawks and the Boston Celtics. After he retired from coaching, he served as president and front office executive of the Celtics until his death...
announced that he would retire as Celtics general manager following the 1984 NBA Draft
1984 NBA Draft
The 1984 NBA Draft was the 38th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on June 19, 1984 before the 1984–85 season. The draft was broadcast in the United States on the USA Network. In this draft,...
, he designated Volk as his preference as his successor. On July 11, 1984 Volk was officially named General Manager of the Boston Celtics.
Volk's first move as Celtics General Manager came on October 16, 1984 when he traded Gerald Henderson
Gerald Henderson
Jerome McKinley "Gerald" Henderson, Sr. is a retired American basketball player. He was a shooting guard who had a 13-year career in the NBA from 1979 until 1992. He played for the Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, and...
to the Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
for a 1st round pick in the 1986 NBA Draft
1986 NBA Draft
-Drug and health issues involving drafted players:There were various drug-related problems that plagued players in the 1986 NBA draft. Most notable was the death of highly-touted Len Bias. Bias died less than two days after being selected second overall by the defending champion Boston Celtics. His...
. In his first season as GM, the Celtics had a 63-19 record and returned to the NBA Finals
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association . The series was named the NBA World Championship Series until 1986....
, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in six games.
For the 1985-86 season, Volk drafted Sam Vincent
Sam Vincent (basketball)
James Samuel "Sam" Vincent is a retired American professional basketball player and the former head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats. In 2008 Sam was named the head coach of the Anaheim Arsenal of the NBA Developmental league.Vincent won the State of Michigan "Mr. Basketball" award in 1981, the...
and traded for Bill Walton
Bill Walton
William Theodore "Bill" Walton III is a retired American basketball player and television sportscaster. The "Big Red-Head", as he was called, achieved superstardom playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early '70s, winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, while...
and Jerry Sichting
Jerry Sichting
Jerry Lee Sichting is a retired American basketball player in the NBA.-1972-1975:Jerry Sichting, the 6'1", 175 lb guard, attended Martinsville High School, located in Martinsville, Indiana...
. In his second season as GM, the Celtics won the NBA Championship, defeating the Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The team plays in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1967, and played in San Diego, California for four years, before being...
4-2.
Using the draft pick he obtained as compensation for Gerald Henderson, Volk selected Len Bias
Len Bias
Leonard Kevin "Len" Bias was a first team All-American college basketball player at the University of Maryland. He was selected by the Boston Celtics as the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft on June 17, but died two days later from cardiac arrhythmia induced by a cocaine overdose...
with the second overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft
1986 NBA Draft
-Drug and health issues involving drafted players:There were various drug-related problems that plagued players in the 1986 NBA draft. Most notable was the death of highly-touted Len Bias. Bias died less than two days after being selected second overall by the defending champion Boston Celtics. His...
. On June 20, 1986, three days after the draft, Bias died of a cardiac arrhythmia related to usage of cocaine. Despite the death of their top draft pick, the Celtics finished the 1986-87 season with a 59-23 and appeared in their fourth consecutive NBA Finals, losing to the Lakers 4-2.
The Celtics made the playoffs during each of Volk's next six seasons as GM, but did not return to the NBA Finals. After a 32-50 1993-94 season, many of Volk's responsibilities, including the drafting and signing of players, were reassigned to Director of Basketball Operations M. L. Carr
M. L. Carr
Michael Leon Carr is an American former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association and American Basketball Association, and former head coach and General Manager of the Boston Celtics...
. He resigned from the team on May 6, 1997, allowing incoming team president and head coach Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino
Rick Pitino is an American basketball coach. Since 2001, he has been the head coach at the University of Louisville. He has also served as head coach at Boston University, Providence College and the University of Kentucky, leading that program to the NCAA championship in 1996...
to hire his own General Manager.