However, Shumate’s story of success on campus started with him overcoming adversity off the court. At the beginning of his sophomore year in the fall of 1971, a clot was discovered in Shumate’s calf. At the same time, a virus infection was found in the sac around Shumate’s heart, which prevented doctors from using antibiotics. For nine days, Shumate was totally immobilized in intensive care and later came out of the hospital 45 pounds lighter. After losing his sophomore season, Shumate fought back and produced an unforgettable two years in South Bend.
During the 1972-73 season, Shumate led the Irish to an 18-12 record and the NIT championship game – a tournament in which he was named the MVP. A year later was a magical 26-3 season, which included a 15-0 record inside Purcell Pavilion.
That year, Shumate and the Irish went 3-1 versus nationally ranked top-five teams, which included No. 3 Indiana, No. 5 Marquette and of course No. 1 UCLA, as the latter snapped the Bruins 88-game winning streak. In that game, Shumate tallied a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double, grabbing the final winning rebound to clinch it.
Shumate ultimately had the best scoring average in the 1974 NCAA Tournament, averaging 28.7 ppg over three games and was named to the All-Regional Team as a result.
When it comes to converting shots, no one in the history of the program did it better, as Shumate still ranks first all-time with his .610 career shooting percentage (min. 600 attempts).
Shumate still ranks eighth all-time in points scored in a single season, racking up 703 during the 1973-74 campaign. During the same year, Shumate converted 62.7 percent of his shots, which ranks fifth all-time. The New Jersey native collected 27 career double-doubles, including 15 in his final season.
In addition, Shumate is just 1-of-10 different Notre Dame players to register at least 40 points in a single game, putting his name alongside Austin Carr, Adrian Dantley, Monty Williams, Larry Sheffield, Loyd Aubrey, Tom Hawkins, Bob Whitmore, Collis Jones and Luke Harangody.
Shumate was drafted by Phoenix as the fourth overall pick in 1974 and later earned NBA All-Rookie Team honors in his first season. He went on to average 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds over a shortened pro career due to health problems. During his playing days, Shumate spent time with the Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Buffalo Braves and Detroit Pistons.
Shumate also got involved in the world of coaching, spending three years as a head coach at Grand Canyon (1983-86), seven years at SMU (1988-95) and one year with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury (2003). Lastly, Shumate also spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Notre Dame (1981-82, 1986-88) and one with the Suns (2009-10).
The Purcell Pavilion Ring of Honor was established in 2010 by the University of Notre Dame Athletics Department to honor former or current men’s and women’s basketball coaches and student-athletes who have made distinguished and noteworthy contributions during their careers at the University.
Upon induction, the individual’s name, jersey number and years at Notre Dame are stitched onto a banner and raised to the rafters in Purcell Pavilion to forever inspire the present and future fans who attend events in the Joyce Center. The individuals are also presented with a small reproduction of their Ring of Honor banner and also receive a ring in a private ceremony with the current men’s or women’s basketball team.
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