Jan. 10, 2009
Courtesy of Northern State
ABERDEEN, S.D. - It was history in the making on
Saturday, as Northern State University head men's basketball coach Don
Meyer tallied his 903rd career victory with NSU's 82-62 win over the
visiting University of Mary Marauders, giving Meyer sole possession of
first place on the men's all-time NCAA career wins chart.
Meyer, who entered the season in second place on that prestigious
chart, tied the legendary Bobby Knight's previous mark of 902 wins last
Saturday with a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference road win over
Upper Iowa, and solidified his spot in NCAA men's basketball history
with tonight's win.
The win caps a remarkable return to the sidelines for the 64-year-old
coach, who was seriously injured in a car accident on Sept. 5,
resulting in the loss of part of his left leg. In the days following
the accident, doctors also discovered cancer burrowing into his
intestines and liver, but neither circumstance has slowed Meyer's march
toward history.
A crowd of 6,654 witnessed the historic event, played in NSU's Wachs
Arena. A brief celebration, including a congratulatory video from
former UCLA great John Wooden. A formal celebration is planned for
next Saturday, Jan. 17, prior to the tip-off of NSU's game against
Minnesota-Duluth.
