Joe Merten

Joseph H. Merten (February 23, 1959 – March 19, 2008) was an American basketball player and coach. He played small forward and his listed height was 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m).

Joe Merten
Personal information
Born(1959-02-23)February 23, 1959
Kenosha, Wisconsin
DiedMarch 18, 2008(2008-03-18) (aged 49)
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Career information
High schoolGeorge Nelson Tremper
(Kenosha, Wisconsin)
CollegeWisconsin–Eau Claire (1977–1981)
NBA draft1981 / Round: 10 / Pick: 207th overall
Selected by the Utah Jazz
Playing career1981–1985
PositionSmall forward
Career history
As player:
1982–1983Alberta Dusters
1983Las Vegas Silvers
1983–1985Wisconsin Flyers
As coach:
1985–1986Wisconsin Flyers
Career highlights and awards
  • CBA All-Star (1982)
  • 3× All-WSUAC (1979–1981)
Medals
1979 World University GamesTeam

Biography

Merten attended the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire from 1977 to 1981 and played for head coach Ken Anderson's Blugolds men's basketball team. Merten played in 113 games (93 of which he started) for the Blugolds, who appeared in the NAIA Final Four during his final two seasons (1980, 1981). During his four years with the Blugolds, Merten accumulated 1,193 points, 598 rebounds and 439 assists. He named to the All-Wisconsin State University Athletic Conference Team three times.[1]

In 1979 Merten was a member of the United States men's national basketball team at the World University Games. The team, which featured future NBA player Kevin McHale, won a gold medal.[1]

He was drafted in the 10th round of the 1981 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz and played for their Summer Pro League team, but failed to make the preseason roster.[2] He played exhibition games with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 1981 NBA preseason, but was cut from their regular season roster.[3] He made two unsuccessful NBA tryouts during the summer of 1982 with the Bucks and Indiana Pacers.[4][1]

In 1981 Merten signed with the Alberta Dusters of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). On January 20, 1982 Merten scored 42 points in a game.[5] He appeared in the 1982 CBA All-Star game as a member of the Dusters. Merten signed with the Las Vegas Silvers in 1982, but was traded during the season to the Wisconsin Flyers. He was named head coach of the Flyers before the 1985–86 season. He was the youngest coach in the CBA at the time of his hiring.[1]

Merten was offered the head coaching position of the Flyers for the 1986–87 season but turned down the offer. He went to work for Menards in Eau Claire as a building materials manager.[1]

There is an annual award known as the Joe Merten Coaching Award given out by the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Blugold Hall of Fame.[6] It was created by Merten's family following his death on March 19, 2008. The award is given to an assistant coach, community coach, or student coach on a Blugolds sports team.[7]

References
  1. "Blugold Hall of Fame; Joe Merten". uwecblugolds.com. University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  2. "NBA Draft". United Press International. June 9, 1981.
  3. "Untitled". United Press International. October 12, 1982.
  4. "Thursday's Sports Transactions". United Press International. July 30, 1982.
  5. Buckli, Ron (January 29, 2012). "January Flashback: Dvoracek scores 43 to carry Regis". McClatchy Tribune. Washington, D.C.
  6. "Blugold Hall of Fame inducts seven athletes in the class of 2016". UWire. Eau Claire, Wisconsin: ULoop. October 4, 2016. p. 1.
  7. "Joe Merten Coaching Award". blugolds.com. University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
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