University of South Dakota Athletics

A scoring machine for South Dakota, John Diefendorf was the second Coyote player to earn all-North Central Conference three times. Diefendorf, originally of Irene, SD, was named all-league in 1947-48, 1948-49, and 1949-50. In fact both he and Tom Luby were all-NCC in 1947-48. Diefendorf led the Coyotes in scoring in 1948-49 and 1949-50. When he finished at USD, he had set 12 USD or NCC records. A captain for two years, he was a member of the 1947-48 team that upset #1 ranked and undefeated Bradley, 54-51. He won NCC scoring titles in 1949 (17.0ppg) and 1950 (22.6ppg). He set conference marks for most points in a single season (271), field goals in a season (103), field goals in a game (18), points in a game (39), and average in a season (22.6). University records include: most points in a season (434), field goals in a season (167), free throws in a season (99), free throws in a game (13), field goals in a game (18), points in a game (39), and average for a season (22.6).