University of South Dakota Athletics

Cliff Daniels was a standout basketball player from South Dakota's only national championship basketball squad, accomplishing the feat in 1957-58. Daniels, who with his brother Jim and teammates on that team were inducted into the Coyote Sports Hall of Fame during a special induction ceremony in 1980. Daniels was a two-time all-North Central Conference selection, (1956-57, 1957-58). Cliff and Jim, both all city products at Franklin K Lane High School, NY, formed a solid brother backcourt combination, leading the Coytoes to two straight NCC titles (1956-57, 1957-58). The Daniels guided South Dakota to a 22-5 record during the 1957-58 campaign, including a 75-53 rout past St. Michaels of Vermont for the NCAA small college championship at Evansville, IN. Four members of the Coyotes, including the Daniels, were named all-NCC in the 1957-58 season. Daniels was vice-president of the Brooklyn Restoration Corporation.