Basketball Legend Vern Mikkelsen '49 on campus for release of his biography

Vern Mikkelsen ’49, former center and forward with the Minnesota Lakers and Basketball Hall-of-Famer, will be on Hamline’s campus on Friday, October 6 to sign copies of his biography The Vern Mikkelsen Story, written by John Eagan. Everyone is welcome to attend to meet Mikkelsen and reminisce about the famous Joe Hutton Pipers.

The book-signing take place from 2-4 p.m. in the lobby of Hutton Arena. Copies of the book will be available for $19.95.

Mikkelsen was a charter member of the Hamline University Athletic Hall of Fame, inducted in 1965. In his ten years playing pro ball as forward and center with the Minneapolis Lakers, Mikkelsen was named National Basketball Association all-pro seven times. He also played on five division championship teams and on four world championship teams. His achievements earned him induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.

As a Hamline player he was named All-Conference three years and All-American two years. He was a member of the 1949 National Championship team and has been inducted into the Helms Hall of Fame of Basketball Immortals and the NAIA Hall of Fame. He is a member of the NAIA's All-Time Basketball Team, the NAIA 1987 Golden Anniversary Team, and the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame. Mikkelsen's number 13 at Hamline was retired in honor of his achievements, and a framed jersey honoring him hangs on the wall of the university’s Hutton Arena.

Mikkelsen also won four letters in track at Hamline, competing in the high jump and discus. He served for several years as president of Hamline's alumni lettermen's club and has served on the board of the National Alumni Association and Hamline’s Piper Athletic Association. He was also the chair of the Sports and Attractions Committee for the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce. For more on his career visit: www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/Mikkelsen.htm