Minot State mourns the passing of Dale Brown

MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University is saddened by the passing of Dale Brown, a Minot native, MSU alumnus, and legendary college basketball coach who died Friday, Oct. 23, at the age of 90.

Brown was just over a week away from what would have been his 91st birthday.

“Dale Brown leaves behind a remarkable legacy that extends far beyond the basketball court. His legendary coaching career at LSU earned him national recognition,” said MSU President Dr. Steven Shirley. “His story will always have a special connection to Minot and Minot State University. As an alumnus and student-athlete, Dale’s roots were firmly planted here before he went on to influence generations of players, coaches, and fans across the country. We extend our condolences to his family, friends, and former players as we join the many people whose lives he touched in mourning his passing.”

He graduated from St. Leo’s High School in 1953 and from Minot State in 1957, earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education. A standout student-athlete, he earned 12 varsity letters competing in basketball, football, and track & field, becoming the only athlete in the University’s history to achieve that distinction. He later graduated with a master’s degree from the University of Oregon.

After college, Brown spent a little more than a decade as a high school coach, teacher, and principal in North Dakota and California.

After five years as an assistant coach at Utah State University and one year at Washington State University, he moved on to Louisiana State University in 1972. Brown won a school-record 448 games, won four SEC championships, and made 13 NCAA tournament appearances in his 25 seasons with the Tigers from 1972 to 1997. He earned four SEC Coach of the Year awards and was named National Coach of the Year in 1981.

During his tenure, Brown coached and mentored numerous standout players, including Shaquille O’Neal and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.

He was selected earlier this week to receive the John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award, recognizing his accomplishments and impact on college basketball. Brown was inducted into the North Dakota Sports Hall of Fame and the North Dakota Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, as well as the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. LSU named its home basketball court for him in 2022.

After retiring from LSU in 1997, he founded Dale Brown Enterprises, which aims to promote educational opportunities for students with physical disabilities or from financially struggling families. Brown became a motivational speaker and a basketball analyst for television broadcasts. He authored several books.

Brown and his wife, Vonnie (Ness) ’58, established the Dale and Vonnie Brown Scholarship Endowment at Minot State in 2017 to help incoming North Dakota freshmen who demonstrate financial need. Minot State hosts an annual high school basketball jamboree in early December at the MSU Dome, called the “Dale Brown Classic,” in his honor.