Legendary Xavier Coach Art Kohs Dies At 84

MIDDLETOWN, CT — The Xavier-Middletown community and beyond is mourning the loss of legendary coach Art Kohs, who died Sunday at the age of 84.

The high school announced Kohs’ death in a post on social media on Monday.

“Our Legend. Forever,” the post reads. “Arthur M. Kohs.

“April 29, 1937- March 20, 2022.

“Our hearts are with the entire Kohs family and with everyone that knew the man named Artie.”

Kohs was Xavier’s first athletic director and basketball coach. The school’s gymnasium was renamed in his honor — Arthur M. Kohs Gymnasium — in 1997.

Kohs was also a key figure in the creation of the Southern Connecticut Conference, according to SCC Commissioner Al Carbone.

“Very sad news,” Carbone wrote in a post on Twitter while sharing Xavier’s tribute to Kohs. “Art Kohs was one of the key figures in the creation and success of the SCC. Our prayers and condolences to the entire Kohs family.”

Many of Kohs’ former students expressed condolences in the comments section of Xavier’s post on Facebook.

One person wrote, “Mr. Xavier. He ate, drank and breathed XHS. Our class of 67 always included him for any get together we had. We all enjoyed each other's company.

“Rest in Peace, Coach.”

Another person wrote, “One of Artie’s great sayings was ‘there are two types of people in this world, givers and takers.’ Art Khos was a giver. A true friend and colleague for many years. May he now join Carolyn and rest in peace. Condolences to the Kohs family and to the Xavier community.”

Read more about Kohs’ memories of his time at Xavier in this story from 2013 at GameTimeCT.com here.