[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 13, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E75]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY COACH DON MEYER

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH SANDLIN

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 13, 2009

  Ms. HERSETH SANDLIN. Madam Speaker, recently, Don Meyer, head men's 
basketball coach at Northern State University in Aberdeen, from my 
State of South Dakota, coached his 903rd career victory. This 
accomplishment sets the national record for wins by a men's collegiate 
basketball coach.
  Mr. Meyer started his coaching career in 1972 at Hamline University 
in Minnesota, turning an unsuccessful program into a championship 
contender. Moving to Lipscomb University in Tennessee, Mr. Meyer 
created a national powerhouse during his 24 years there--winning an 
NAIA national title in 1986 and averaging more than 32 wins per season 
over his final 10 years at the school.
  Coming to Northern State in 1999, Mr. Meyer built another highly-
successful program. His teams have won over 20 games each of the past 7 
seasons, and reached the postseason 4 of the past 5 years.
  Over this long career, Mr. Meyer has become nationally known as a 
teacher of both young men and other coaches. Thousands of coaches from 
all over the Nation have honed their craft at the Don Meyer Coaches 
Academy. His instructional books and DVDs have been used by college 
programs such as Duke and NBA teams such as the Utah Jazz. Of Mr. 
Meyer, Pat Summitt, the legendary University of Tennessee women's 
basketball coach, recently told Sports Illustrated, ``(Meyer) is one of 
the most respected clinicians in the country. You can't sit there and 
not learn and be inspired.''
  Another inspiration that Mr. Meyer provides stems from the journey he 
finds himself on today. On September 5, 2008, while leading his team to 
a preseason retreat, Mr. Meyer was involved in a life-threatening auto 
accident. At the accident site, his players' quick thinking and poise 
saved Mr. Meyer's life. Team captain Kyle Schwan told Sports 
Illustrated about the accident, ``It's a testament to Coach. In 
essence, he saved his own life because of the way he taught us.''
  His recovery has included eight surgeries, the amputation of part of 
his left leg, and intense pain. Adding to the medical challenge was the 
discovery of liver and intestine cancer during his emergency surgeries. 
But through it all, Mr. Meyer has maintained his drive and character, 
coaching games from the sidelines in a wheelchair. This season, he 
again has Northern State in championship contention, and remains a 
sought-after motivational speaker on basketball, coaching, and life 
itself.
  Madam Speaker, it is with enduring pride and respect that I rise 
today in recognition of Don Meyer and his record-breaking achievement. 
This achievement is not only measured in the many victories achieved, 
but in the lives touched. Don Meyer has proven himself worthy to be 
counted among the best coaches our Nation has produced.

                          ____________________