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Center court to honor Ernie Anderson

by Don Stoner

Augsburg College will honor longtime athletic director and men's basketball coach Ernie Anderson by naming the recently renovated center court at Melby Hall in his honor, College officials announced recently.

A dedication ceremony will be held on Jan. 29 during the men's basketball game against Hamline. Game time is 7:30 p.m. For information on the dedication event, contact Norm Okerstrom, development office, at (612) 330-1616 or okerstro@augsburg.edu.

Anderson has been a member of the Augsburg community since the 1930s, when he attended the Augsburg Academy. He played basketball and baseball at Augsburg, graduating with a history degree in 1937.

After receiving his master's degree from the University of Minnesota, he returned to his alma mater in 1947 as athletic director, men's basketball coach, and as an instructor and director of health and physical education.

During his 23-year basketball coaching career (1947-70), he compiled a 266-239 overall record. The Auggies won MIAC crowns in 1963, 1964, and 1965, advancing to NAIA district competition and the NAIA national tournament twice. He earned MIAC Coach of the Year honors each of the conference title seasons.

He served as athletic director for 34 years. During that time, he was president of the NAIA in the 1970-71 school year, was named to the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1975, and was inducted into the Augsburg Athletic Hall of Fame in 1975. He also earned two Distinguished Service Awards from the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce. He served on several NAIA committees and on the U.S. Olympic Committee from 1969 to 1973.

In 1984, the College named its athletic field in honor of Anderson and longtime coach Edor Nelson. The field will be rededicated in Nelson's honor in the fall of 2001. Both the Anderson and Nelson events are part of a celebration of recent major improvements in athletic facilities.

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