NORSE MEN’S BASKETBALL HISTORY TIMELINE 1971-72 • Northern Kentucky State College begins its men’s basketball program by hiring Mote Hils as the head coach. Hils arrives at Northern Kentucky State after a successful career as the head coach at Covington Catholic High School. • Jim McMillan, a standout performer at Newport High School, becomes the first recruit for the Northern Kentucky State basketball program. • On Nov. 12, 1971, Northern Kentucky State plays its first-ever men’s basketball game against Calvary College, a small Christian school located in Letcher, Ky., with an enrollment of 40 students. The game is played at old Newport High School’s gym on Columbia Street. Northern Kentucky State defeats Calvary, 109-65, as six Norsemen score in double figures.
• Dan Maurer scores the first basket in Northern Kentucky State history on a short jumper a minute into the game. Barry Hall ties the score at 2-2 for Calvary on the Chargers’ next trip down the floor, but the Norsemen roll into halftime with a 56-27 lead as Marvin Johnson scores 13 points and grabs 14 rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. Johnson leads Northern Kentucky State with 17 points against Calvary, while teammate Dennis Egan adds 16 points. Richard Derkson and Maurer each finish with 15 points for the Norsemen, who pull down 96 rebounds in that game. Northern Kentucky State also attempts 115 field goals in that contest. • On Nov. 15, Pikeville posts a 71-68 win over Northern Kentucky State at Pikeville, Ky. It is the first loss in Norsemen history.
A BASKETBALL PROGRAM IS BORN ON NOV. 12, 1971 - THE FIRST GAME Pictured at the left is Northern Kentucky State College’s first game on Nov. 12, 1971, against Calvary College. The game was played at the old Newport High School gym on Columbia Street. Shown taking a jumper for NKSC is Dan Maurer (34), who finished with 15 points as the Norsemen posted a 109-65 win in their inaugural game. Maurer also scored the first basket in NKSC history on a short jumper.
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2012-13 NKU Norse Basketball Guide