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Small College Basketball Hall of Fame to induct Don Meyer

ABERDEEN, S.D. -- Legendary men's basketball coach Don Meyer is being inducted into the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame.

Meyer was one of the winningest coaches in college basketball history. He led his teams into the playoffs 19 times and compiled a 923-324 record during his 38-year career, most of which he spent at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, and at Northern State in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

The native of Wayne, Nebraska, died of cancer in 2014. He's already a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame, and in 2010 he was given a lifetime achievement award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Current Northern State coach Paul Sather, who played for Meyer, said Meyer was not only interested in success on the court but also "was just trying to make everyone around him better."

"He never took days off, and took so much pride in the work he put in and the young men he put on the floor," Sather told the American News.

Former Northern State athletic director Bob Olson told the newspaper that Meyer kept sports in perspective.

"I think you learned something from (Meyer) every day," he said. "You learned about character and leadership, and not only on the basketball court."

The Small College Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony is Nov. 2 in Evansville, Indiana.