University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Mourn the Loss of Alum Mel Northway
11/15/2024 8:22:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The University of Minnesota men's basketball program mourns the loss of Golden Gopher great Mel Northway, Playing for the Gophers from 1963-65, Northway passed away on November 11, 2024 at the age of 81.
Hailing from Minneapolis and Patrick Henry High School, Northway was a three-year starter for the Golden Gophers and a team captain. Northway played in 72 games for the Gophers and made his mark in span. The 6-foot, 8-inch center averaged 13.6 points and 11.7 rebounds and scored 976 career points and 841 rebounds. Averaging a double-double all three years, Northway to this day still ranks high in the Gopher record books: sixth in career rebounding (841), third in career rebounding average (11.7), seventh in season-rebounding (321 in 1964-65), third in season rebounding average (13.38 in 1964-65). Off the court, Northway was an Academic All-American in 1964 and an Academic All-Big Ten selection that same season.
Northway was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in 1965 and after a coaching stint at Anoka Ramsey Junior College, went on to play professionally in Belguim for three years and was one of the best players during his time there. Following his professional career, Northway returned to the Gophers, this time in an assistant coach role while receiving his master's degree. He then had head coaching roles at Inver Hills Junior College, followed by a five-year stint at Blaine High School. He then began a 20-year career as the assistant principal and athletic director at Neenah High School before retiring in 1998. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame in 2022.
Funeral service for Northway will be Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 11:30 AM at New Canaan Baptist Church with Bro. Robert Cruise officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at New Canaan Baptist Church. For more information, please see here.
Hailing from Minneapolis and Patrick Henry High School, Northway was a three-year starter for the Golden Gophers and a team captain. Northway played in 72 games for the Gophers and made his mark in span. The 6-foot, 8-inch center averaged 13.6 points and 11.7 rebounds and scored 976 career points and 841 rebounds. Averaging a double-double all three years, Northway to this day still ranks high in the Gopher record books: sixth in career rebounding (841), third in career rebounding average (11.7), seventh in season-rebounding (321 in 1964-65), third in season rebounding average (13.38 in 1964-65). Off the court, Northway was an Academic All-American in 1964 and an Academic All-Big Ten selection that same season.
Northway was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in 1965 and after a coaching stint at Anoka Ramsey Junior College, went on to play professionally in Belguim for three years and was one of the best players during his time there. Following his professional career, Northway returned to the Gophers, this time in an assistant coach role while receiving his master's degree. He then had head coaching roles at Inver Hills Junior College, followed by a five-year stint at Blaine High School. He then began a 20-year career as the assistant principal and athletic director at Neenah High School before retiring in 1998. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame in 2022.
Funeral service for Northway will be Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 11:30 AM at New Canaan Baptist Church with Bro. Robert Cruise officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, November 23, 2024 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at New Canaan Baptist Church. For more information, please see here.
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