University of Portland Coach Has Surgery to Correct Irregular Heartbeat

University of Portland basketball Coach Larry Steele was reported resting comfortably after undergoing a surgical procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat.

Steele’s wife, Vicki, said doctors at Oklahoma Memorial Hospital in Oklahoma City believe the six-hour procedure was a success.

Steele’s team was Loyola Marymount’s opponent March 4, the night Hank Gathers collapsed and died. Gathers had an irregular heartbeat.

Steele, a former Portland Trail Blazer and University of Kentucky player, had been diagnosed as having Wolf Parkinson syndrome. The condition is caused by an extra electrical pathway in the heart.

Steele has said he plans to return to work on Monday.