University of South Dakota Athletics

Ernie Gunderson ranks as one of the great all-time ends in Coyote football history. He earned all-American honors at left end in 1939, then turned down an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine games because he wanted to use the time to prepare for the law bar examinations. A graduate of South High School in Omaha, Neb., Gunderson was born in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. He attended USD from 1936-42 and was a key contributor on the conference championship team of 1938, when USD recorded a 7-1 record and were unbeaten in NCC play (5-0). He also played a key role as USD tied for the 1939 NCC football championship. Twice, he earned all-NCC (1938-1939). While attending law school at USD, Gunderson also served as an assistant coach for the legendary head coach Harry Gamage. After leaving USD, he spent time in the military, then practiced law at Aberdeen from 1946-1955. He later moved to Vermont.