Former Gophers Honor John Kundla For 100th Birthday
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- John Kundla made his name coaching the Minneapolis Lakers to titles in professional basketball. After he left the Lakers, he signed on to coach the Gophers.
On Sunday, Kundla turns 100 years old. His former Gophers threw him a little party, and WCCO's Mike Max was there.
They came to celebrate with the coach. They're known as John Kundla's Gophers. He played there long before he was a coach, and he's stacked up a lot of basketball memories the past century.
"So many memories. I just can't say enough for them," Kundla said.
He is most reknown for his role with the Minneapolis Lakers. Most of the players from the coveted championship days have passed away, but the names never leave him.
"Mikan, Mikkelson, Pollard, Doogie Martin, Whitey Skoog, Pep Saul," Kundla said.
As a gopher coach, his players remember him fondly as a gentleman and a quiet teacher.
"Wasn't one of the guys that roamed the sidelines and yelled and screamed. Wasn't one of the guys that threw the clipboards around. He gave you the lesson plan and expected you to follow it," a former player said.
When a person stares at 10 decades and still can work a room, you wonder how did he get here? It seems to start and end with activity.
"He does exercise three times a week on a bicycle. He had one here for a while but it was every day, walking or movement, joining in activities," a former player said.
That's right, exercise.to this day.
"Being a gym teacher kept me in shape. I still, to this day, ride the bike to stay in shape," Kundla said.
And on this day, it all comes together with his team.
