Wall Says He Will Leave USA Basketball Post

Bill Wall, the controversial executive director of USA Basketball since its inception in 1975, will retire from his current position and accept a four-year job as coordinator of special projects for the organization.

Wall, 61, made the announcement Tuesday after USA Basketball’s annual meeting of the members. His retirement takes effect Sept. 30, 1992.

Wall was involved in a number of controversies during his tenure, the latest this summer at the Pan American Games when quotes attributed to him challenged the ability of women’s Coach Vivian Stringer. The U.S. women won the bronze medal, ending a nine-year run of gold medals in major international competitions.

He also defended the U.S. men who refused to stay in the athletes’ village in Havana, opting for a plush hotel in Miami instead. The U.S. men’s team, which has not won a gold medal since the 1986 World Championships, got a bronze at the Pan Am Games.