Coach Smith Plays Host to Gopher Greats John Kundla and Grant Johnson

Head Coach Tubby Smith welcomed back Golden Gopher Basketball Greats John Kundla and Grant Johnson for a visit to Williams Arena Friday. Kundla and Johnson are the only two surviving members of Minnesota's 1937 Big Ten Championship Team. Kundla and Johnson presented Coach Smith with a framed photo of the 1937 Big Ten Championship Team.

"It was an honor to welcome back Coach Kundla and Grant Johnson to the Golden Gopher family," Coach Smith said. "Our program is a family and it includes all our former players. As the season gets closer, we hope more and more former Gophers return to the Barn and reconnect with our program."

Johnny 'Dracula' Kundla was a starting forward on the '37 squad, Grant 'Spike' Johnson was a reserve after transferring from Gustavus. Johnson later served as the Gopher Freshman Coach and later was the President of the Minnesota State High School League from 1954-1957. Kundla was Minnesota's head coach from 1959-68 after serving as the head coach of the Minneapolis Lakers for 11 seasons. Kundla registerd a 110-105 record in nine seasons at the helm of the Gopher program. While at Minnesota, Kundla became the first coach to open up recruiting to a national scope. He guided the Gophers to six upper-division finishes and coached three All-Americans including Lou Hudson. In 1995, Kundla was elected to the NBA Hall of Fame.

Coach Smith posed for photos with the former Gophers and their families. He led a tour of Williams Arena, including the new lockerroom, video room and lounge, and exchanged stories with the two men on their 90 minute visit to the Barn. Kundla and Johnson, both 91, stated the visit was one of the highlights of their lives and compared it to winning the 1937 Championship.