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Gentleman
Pioneer Recruiter
Innovative Coach
Exciting Games
Successful
Respected
Gentleman

Left this World a Better Place
Wayne Parks
Class of 1964

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Ran his fastbreak for all my years coaching had his book.

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Ran his fastbreak for all my years coaching had his book.

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I  began watching ODU basketball in the early 1970’s. Sonny was able to recruit, train, and motivate a special brand of hard nosed player. It was fun to follow our Monarchs and I decided to attend ODU beginning in 1973. It was a decision that I would make again today. I graduated in 1977 and have been an avid fan to this day. Sonny will always remain in my mind as the foundation for our basketball program. Thank you, Sonny, for a job well done!

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My dad, Charles Moir respected and admired his good friend Sonny Allen. Roanoke and ODU built an incredible rivalry, but one that featured mutual respect. Only fitting that both gentlemen led teams to College Division titles in the early 70's.  Lives very well lived.

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It was a great privilege to work with Sonny in the summer of 1969 playing softball--not basketball--with inner city kids from Lambert's Point in a govt program. He was a natural with the kids and fit right in in an easy, unassuming way. I also remember little Billy Allen shooting baskets in the old gym in the middle of our pickup games. We were afraid to chase him off the court because he was Sonny Allen's son.   Mike Burke, class of 1970

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It was maybe 12 years ago when some of us joined Billy Allen in Waco to cycle with him in his first century ride.  It was a celebration, riding with the Reno doctors (fellow cyclists and Allen family friends) who saved Sonny’s life when he battled Lyme disease.  The Dallas crew met Sonny, who was there as the reason for the celebration and to cheer us on, and the doctors for the first time, the evening before in the hotel lobby.  Being guys, we immediately all started telling our funniest Billy stories, he being the one guy we all had in common.  After a few minutes (it might have been 15-20) of giving Billy the business, Sonny stiffened and barked:  “That’s some way to talk about an All-American!”  Billy of course wanted to disappear on the spot and quickly assured his Dad that there was no need for him to punch anyone.  (Mild mannered Sonny never would have done such a thing). We were thrilled because we had another great Billy Allen story to share.  No matter how old you are, your Dad is always your Dad.  And Dad’s protect their kids from “bullies” or other risks.  Even if you don’t want or need them to.  The next day, we rode the 106 miles in stifling Texas heat and crossed the finish line together, with Sonny there beaming with pride at his son’s latest athletic accomplishment.  A few months later we cycled around Lake Tahoe with Sonny there again, encouraging and celebrating with us.  Billy was blessed with a great Dad and Coach!

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Winston Churchill once said, "I no longer listen to what people say;  I just watch what they do. Behavior never lies."
Sonny Allen exemplified this quote as he truly let his life do the talking.

I have the upmost respect for those people who are, what I like to call "big time",  yet don't act like it.   Coach Allen was one of those people.  As a coach, his resume' speaks for itself.  His success as a man was shown by the character and integrity with which he lived his life.  His success as a father is displayed by his children, and in particular his son Billy,  who is a personal friend of mine and a former teammate.  "The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree" is a quote which describes Billy and his dad's influence on him.

Even though I only played one   year for Coach Allen,  I will always be indebted to him for the confidence and trust he placed in me.  He was a father-figure to me and his impact on my life is immeasurable.

I have been a high school basketball coach in the Dallas area for the past 30 years.  It was a blessing for me to have had Coach Allen watch me coach in numerous games during my career.  One of my favorite pictures was taken before one of those games he attended in 2015.  Before the game, I was honored at half court for a coaching award.  As I looked at the picture in the local newspaper several days later,  in the back ground I saw a man with a baseball hat sitting on the front row, smiling like a proud father!  It was Coach Allen!  How typical of him to enjoy the successes of others more than his own.  Needless to say, I will cherish that picture and memory for the rest of my life!

"A mediocre coach tells.
A good coach explains.
A superior coach demonstrates.
A great coach inspires"

Thank you, Coach Allen, for being a great coach and inspiring me to be my best, both on and off the court.  I am a better man, husband, father  and coach because of  your  influence in my life.  You will be missed but never forgotten!

I love you, Coach!
David Piehler

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In the summer of 1973, I attended Preview ODU (Freshman Orientation).  A highlight film of the 1972-73 Monarch basketball team was shown.  That film and the fact that Joel Copeland, who was from my home area, was the star of the team got me hooked.  I became a season ticket holder and have been almost every year since.  Coach Sonny Allen, in my opinion, is by far the best and most innovative basketball coach we have ever had at Old Dominion.  He recruited great players and the games were very exciting.  Sonny Allen's teams played a very entertaining brand of basketball.  In those days we were known as the "running Monarchs."  Games at the Fieldhouse were special.  The place was frequently sold out, the fans were given the blue blocks, the noise was deafening, and we had a huge home court advantage and rarely lost.  Zero's gave away free subs after home games when the Monarchs won and scored 100 points.  There were many nights when there was a long line of fans waiting for their subs.
My favorite memory was the night we defeated Randolph Macon in the 1975 South Atlantic Regional finals.  Dr. Jarrett gave Macon their runner-up trophies.  Then he announced that "we would get our trophies next week in Evansville when we win the national title."  We did just that.  When Coach Allen left for SMU, he left Paul Webb with a great returning team.  Many of Sonny's players were the backbone of the team that came one game short of making the big dance in 1977, our first year in division one when the tournament field was much smaller.

Mike Beale
ODU Class of 1977

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Sonny and I were fraternity brothers at Marshall and great friends. The man won a National Championship, was a terrific basketball coach, wonderful family man and a terrific human being. We have been brothers for 60 years and I loved him.  He had so much poise, patience, and goodness, he belongs in heaven with John Wooden.

Jim Harrick

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Memories of Coach Allen.
In 1965 Coach Allen and I both came to ODC. He, as a new coach, and I  as a freshman majoring in Health and Physical Education. I saw quite a lot of him in the gym. After classes we’d watch the team warm up for practice and seeing the new fast break develop was quite exciting.
I’d come from Maury High School which was integrated so seeing Buttons, Authur Speakes, on the floor was not new to me. Then along came Bob Pritchett with his outside shooting. It was a bold move integrating Virginia basketball and it paid off. The games were four years of fun and excitement. I had classes with most of the players and Bob and Buttons were just part of the group.
Sonny could often be seen around campus walking his small white dog with a warm smile or wave. More than not saying “Hey, Coach,” would be followed with the response from him of “See you at the game.”
I look back now on those years he was at Old Domimion with fondness and pride that I knew such an innovative coach and fine gentleman.
My condolences to his loving family and know that that era of the Monarch Nation is thinking of the gift of memories your father has left with us. In our minds, there is but One Sonny Allen.
Margaret Smart Bowen, Old Dominion, 1969

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I was a freshman at Marshall University in 1963 and Sonny was my physical education instructor. He was always cutting up with us and if we were short a player in the gym, he would join in to even up the sides. That was quite remarkable for a college assistant coach and the head coach for the freshman team. That team would be the team that went to the final four of the NIT in NYC back when the NIT was still a major tournament. I have many fond memories of Sonny Allen! Prayers for all his family and friends.

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Great man, great coach. Results he achieved prove those facts. RIP Coach Allen.

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The basketball world knew Sonny Allen as an innovator way ahead of his time. ODU fans remember him for his great teams and establishing a Division Two powerhouse. My most vivid memory was his ability to always make you feel important to him when you met. Very few people are blessed with that characteristic. He was a great coach at many levels of the game, but an even better person.

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Coach Tex Williams
We have lifetime memories.
YESTERDAY, While his children were all together, his son Billy put me on speaker phone to talk to them from Glade Springs, WV to them in Reno. I know Sonny's heart.❤
Thats what Sonny would want. I know.

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Dearest Allen Family,  Please know how much the Underdonk family grieves with you.  Anytime Sonny returned to Huntington or to West Virginia, he would call my parents Bill and Dolores.  They spoke about him often about growing up in Moundsville, their families and their respective college careers at WVU and Marshall. Sending love and sincere sympathy!

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Bess wishes to the Family of Sonny Allen

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Bess wishes to the Family of Sonny Allen

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I met Sonny during my freshman  year at Old Dominion in 1967.  I remember going to the first game.  I saw the team warming up and thought these guys were not as tall as my high school team.  Then the game started and I said wow what a fun team to watch.  Sonny's fast break was unbelievable.  Bob Pritchett was a 5 foot 10 inch Junior College All American who could take one step and dunk the ball with both hands.  At first I wondered how Sonny could recruit a player of his caliber, and then I realized it was because he was black.  Sonny was the first coach in  Virginia to recruit blacks.  Not only was he a pioneer coach he was a wonderful human being.  I used to see him in the Webb Center.  He was very easy to talk to, and would  take the time to talk to his fans.  I lost touch with him after he left ODU but I never forgot how much I enjoyed following his teams.  My prayers go out to his family.  I am sure they will treasure their memories of him.

JIm Winslow

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I was fortunate to have witnessed ODU basketball under the coaching of Sonny Allen. As a young teen in the late 60's and into the 70's I remember the names of many of his players and the exciting brand of basketball that he taught.  His teams could compete with anyone, including those in Division I. I hated to see him leave ODU after winning the Division II title in '75. There will never be another Sonny Allen and ODU made a great choice when they took a chance on him. Sad to see you leave the court this final time. Rest in peace Coach Allen.
Craig Wood

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So many of us enjoyed watching the great teams he coached. I'll never forget the wonderful time a group of us fans chartered a flight to fly to Evansville to watch Sonny's great ODU team win the 1975 Division II crown. It was an experience we will never forget. Loads of fun and a national championship at the same time. Thank you coach. And thank you to that great 1975 Monarch team. Sonny Allen will be missed. May He Rest In Peace.

Jack Armistead

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I was lucky enogh to have been at Old Dominion when coaches taught classes. I was further lucky to have Sonny as my instructor for my selected team sport, Basketball. What a guy! I was part of the crowd in Evansville when we lost in the finals to the home team. I remember the chant "We're coming back!" Sonny must've heard us. Old Dominion was lucky to have him. Rest in Peace, Sonny! Always a Monarch!

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Thoughts and prayers to Coach Allen's family & the ODU Community.

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Coach Allen and I became good friends when I had the pleasure of him recruiting Joey O’Brien from Great Bridge High School. Coach Allen was a very unique coach and the fast break he brought to ODU Basketball. Sonny was always a gentlemen and always spoke highly of his players. Wen you talked to him about basketball or anything else, he always listen to what you had to say. His teams were always fun to watch play and his fast break was like a machine! Coach Allen will be greatly missed, but never forgotten! Glad I had the opportunity to meet and know him. RIP Coach Allen! 🏀🏀🙏

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Coach Allen and I became good friends when I had the pleasure of him recruiting Joey O’Brien from Great Bridge High School. Coach Allen was a very unique coach and the fast break he brought to ODU Basketball. Sonny was always a gentlemen and always spoke highly of his players. Wen you talked to him about basketball or anything else, he always listen to what you had to say. His teams were always fun to watch play and his fast break was like a machine! Coach Allen will be greatly missed, but never forgotten! Glad I had the opportunity to meet and know him. RIP Coach Allen! 🏀🏀🙏

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I knew Sonny Allen for 50+ years and was with the Monarchs when we won the national championship in 1975.  We have continued to keep in touch two to three times each year.  With each conversation, he only wanted to talk about those days, his former players, coaches and friends.  Those were the happiest days of a life well lived.  He was a terrific coach, life long ODU fan, and a wonderful person.  He will be missed by many people.

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A message from ODU legend Dave Twardzik, who played for Sonny

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A message from ODU legend Dave Twardzik, who played for Sonny

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I first met Sonny as a 17 year old high school basketball player...he offered me my only scholarship to continue playing basketball for Old Dominion College...over the 52 years that I have had the privilege to know Sonny he wore many hats for me...he was my coach, after graduation-my friend and later on I hired him and we were co-workers...the best way to describe Sonny is quiet dignity...I was asked today if Sonny was underrated as a coach...not if you talked to basketball people...he was credited by many with starting the numbered fast break...underrated-no...self aggrandized-not a chance...he was never a self promoter...Sonny never hyped himself...it was always about his players.....he took a program that wanted to improve its basketball program and had them playing in the finals of D-2 in 5 years and winning the D-2 championship in 10...Sonny departed Old Dominion after winning the D-2 championship but Old Dominion never left him...in our many conversations over the years, 90% of them were about ODU...the bottom line-Sonny is the foundation on which Old Dominion basketball is built and his contributions to the University are immeasurable...quiet dignity!!!!!!
Dave Twardzik

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ODU Athletics is saddened at the loss of legendary coach Sonny Allen. Click on the "+" button at the bottom right corner to share your memories or condolences.

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ODU Athletics is saddened at the loss of legendary coach Sonny Allen. Click on the "+" button at the bottom right corner to share your memories or condolences.