Gold medalist Charlie Hoag dies

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Charlie Hoag, a four-sport standout at Kansas who helped the United States win the gold medal in basketball at the Helsinki Olympics, died late Thursday after a long illness. He was 81.

The university announced his death in a statement Friday, shortly before the Jayhawks played Baylor in the semifinals of the Big 12 tournament.

Hoag had been receiving treatment at the University of Kansas Medical Center, a short drive from the arena where the tournament is taking place.

Hoag played football, baseball, basketball and competed in track for Kansas from 1950-53.

The two-time All-Conference halfback was at his best on the hardwood, where he helped coach Phog Allen's team win the 1952 NCAA championship. Later that summer, Hoag joined Kansas teammate Clyde Lovellette on the U.S. team that beat the Soviet Union for Olympic gold.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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