The history of the Gustavus Men’s basketball team extends a long time into the past. One of the best ways to track a sport is to look at the successes the coaches have had. Gustavus basketball had its first official game in 1904 and lost. Gustavus welcomed its first coach in 1910, a man by the name of Stephen MacElmeel. His third, and final, season as coach welcomed the first conference championship Gustavus basketball had ever won. This was not the MIAC quite yet, but was a conference that was considered a precursor to it.  Gustavus won another title under Robert Stevenson the following season before having several disappointing season under various coaches until D.C. Mitchell took over the programin 1921. During his 5 year tenure, Mitchell won 2 conference championships and boasted a career win percentage of .721, which is the best any coach that has lasted more than one year has ever done at Gustavus. Following D.C. Mitchell, the team was taken over by Tuddie Lindenberg who guided Gustavus to another championship in the midst of his coaching campaign, which extended from 1926-’33. Gustavus had a drought of MIAC championships for ten years until 1938 when George Myrum led them to the title.

The 1906 Men’s basketball team as seen in The Gustavian, circa 1906.

        Following this title, Gustavus had another drought of championships until Gus Young was hired in 1949, which stabilized the program for the first time. Prior to his hiring, only Tuddie Lindenberg had lasted more than 5 years as coach of the Gusties. This is remarkable because the program had been around for 44 years. Gus Young did not come in and win right away; rather, he built the program for 4 years until 1953 when his teams reeled off 3 straight MIAC championships. Gus Young only lasted until 1957 before Whitey Skoog, the former Minneapolis Laker and 3 time NBA champion was hired as coach.

The 1933 Men’s basketball team with head coach D.C. Mitchell.

-The Gustavian, 1933

1954 Men’s basketball team

The Gustavian, 1954

           Skoog coached for 24 years, winning the conference title in 1968 and sharing the crown in 1975 with Augsburg College. Following the famed NBA great, the program hired 3 coaches from 1981-1990 when current coach Mark Hanson was hired. During this time period, Charlie Brock won one MIAC championship in 1988.

1981 Men’s basketball team

The Gustavian, 1981

           Skoog coached for 24 years, winning the conference title in 1968 and sharing the crown in 1975 with Augsburg College. Following the famed NBA great, the program hired 3 coaches from 1981-1990 when current coach Mark Hanson was hired. During this time period, Charlie Brock won one MIAC championship in 1988. Mark Hanson took the job in 1990 and never looked back. Overall, he has won 6 MIAC titles in his 21 years as coach, including championships in 1991, ’92, ’96, ‘97’, ’04, and ’05. This statistic may increase in the near future as Coach Hanson is currently enjoying yet another successful season and may have many more championships to come.

The 1995 Men’s basketball team with head coach Mark Hanson

The Gustavian, 1995

           Coach Hanson’s and Gustavus’ most successful season was one in which they did not even claim the conference title. St. Thomas edged Gustavus for the regular season title but the Gusties won the conference tournament which entered them into the national tournament. Gustavus defeated Whitworth, UW-Stevens Point, Hanover, Occidental, and Hampden Sydney before falling to Williams College in the national championship game.

Gustavus’ 2009 Men’s basketball team

The Gustavian, 2009

Gustavus has also had many noteworthy players in its past. Since the MIAC has started naming the MVP of the conference, a Gustavus athelete has won the award 3 times, including Jay Klagge in 1992, Scott Lauinger in 1996, and Doug Espenson in 2004. Gustavus has also had a plethora of athletes named to the All-Conference team, and these players can be found by clicking on the picture above.