Barry Thorndycraft has been doing quite a coaching job at UND.
That was the pronouncement of C.D. Locklin, Herald sports editor, 50 years ago.
Early in March 1963, the Sioux were in second place behind Denver with Minnesota running third, Locklin reported.
The Sioux kept rolling and ended up outclassing Boston College, 8-2, in the semifinals in Boston for the national title. Then UND topped Denver 6-5 for the NCAA crown.
A two-page salute in the Herald said, "Oh you wonderful Sioux -- second national title."
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The team was welcomed home on March 17 with a celebration in the UND fieldhouse. Colin Bailey of Wyndmere, N.D., student president, was the master of ceremonies. Coach Thorndycraft and the team presented the championship trophy to Dean Thomas Clifford.
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On March 19, 1963, the city manager form of government ended in Grand Forks. A record vote of 8,055 was cast, with 5,356 voting against the city manager form and 2,705 voting to retain it.
Mayor Nelson Youngs said he would do the best job he could until he finished his term. Keith Bacon, who led a citizens group against the city manager government, said the dealings of government would be back in the hands of elected representatives.
The pot had been boiling in Grand Forks before the election. The Association of Grand Forks Taxpayers, led by Bacon, wanted the city manager removed and blamed the system for assessments and debts.
There were many meetings and debates centered around the city manager post, which was filled by Alan Webster.
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The deactivation of all SAGE centers, including the one at Grand Forks Air Force Base, was announced. The closing date was set as June 30, 1963. It meant a loss of 450 personnel and 32 civilians.
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Names in the news 50 years ago:
• Leonard Egstrom, 54, administrator of Deaconess Hospital, died. He was the brother of movie actress Peggy Lee.
• Ed Van Duyn was blazing a trail in the Classic Bowling League here. He had an 893 series including a 288 game. He moved into the Grand Forks Herald Honor Roll under co-leaders Ray Krueger and Dave Miller.
• Rev. Wesley Sheffield, former night city editor of Newsday, took over as president of Wesley College here. He succeeded Phillip Moulton.
• Norbert Auer, local attorney and secretary of Grand Forks Abstract Co., became the director of First Federal Savings and Loan Association. Leo Haley, previous loan officer, was named vice president.
• H. P. "Happy" Paulson, 75, died. He was editor emeritus of the Fargo Forum. The Associated Press said he was a giant in the newspaper field in North Dakota.
Paulson got his early training in Grand Forks, where he was born in 1877, two years before North Dakota became a state. Back then, his father was running a saloon at Towner, N.D., in what was "the wild frontier."
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Reach Hagerty at mhagerty@gra.midco.net or (701) 772-1055.
