Nuness gets inducted into U of M Hall of Fame

Most male athletes at HHS can say, at one point in time, that they wanted to play in the NBA. One faculty member at HHS can check that off a list of things he has done with his life.

Al Nuness, Paraprofessional, is a name some HHS students would not know, but if someone were to mention the man who, on most days, wears a jumpsuit you would know who they are talking about. Nuness is in fact a former NBA player, but has a whole different set of skills he likes to share about.

After two years in Junior College at Iowa Central, Nuness committed to the Gophers after a visit from a prominent former U of M alumnus. At the University of Minnesota, Nuness was an All-Big Ten player and team captain in the 1968-69 season, scoring 740 points in just two years and averaging 15.4 points per game as a Gopher.

On Oct. 20, while most students were sleeping, or, cramming homework over MEA weekend, Nuness was being inducted into the University of Minnesota Hall of Fame.

“The fact that I am being inducted into the Hall of Fame at the University of Minnesota, for me, is a trifecta. I’m in the Hall of Fame at my high school, my junior college where I was a first team junior college All American, and to top it all off, the U of M,” Nuness said.

His story does not end there. After playing for the Phoenix Suns, Nuness went on to coach for the Gophers, becoming the first full-time African-American assistant coach. He then made his way to Central High School, where he coached and taught. At Central High School, Nuness was named Minnesota Coach of the Year in 1976.

Although Nuness was quite the basketball player, and coach, he also has had an impact in the business world. Nuness got into the business world with the help from the alumni who convinced him to go to the U of M in the first place. In fact Harvey Mackay, University of Minnesota Alumni, told Nuness that he would help plug [Nuness] into the business world.

“I’ve had a tremendous career. When I decided to get into business, I got into business with Pillsbury. I was a national sales manager when I left Pillsbury to work for the Timberwolves where I was director of sales and community basketball and operations. [I] left there and got back into business and went to Jostens,” Nuness said.

Jostens is an American manufacturer of memorabilia. The company is primarily known for its production of yearbooks and class rings for various high schools and colleges as well as championship rings for sports. Having the former Vice-President of sales at Jostens within the walls of an ordinary high school shows his character. Nuness first had contact with HHS when one of his sons open enrolled here.

“I’ve come full circle with my career. I love working with young people and this is a very unique school, it has a special place in my heart. When my son went here, Hopkins was a place where kids of colors could come and not be called an Oreo, or not be made fun of because they were academically smart,” Nuness said.

Nuness knew that if he was ever going to get back into doing something with kids, he would make the point of showing students of color that it is “okay to be smart.” It was Kenny Novak Sr, former HHS basketball coach, who made sure Nuness knew that we needed someone like him here, everyday, with students, helping them. Novak Sr. asked Nuness if he would consider being a para.

“I said sure, because I’ve been married for 46 year and if I want to make it to 47 I can’t stay home all day, but all joking aside {guys} I am absolutely having a ball talking with and helping kids,” Nuness said  

Since Nuness didn’t go the “traditional” route to college he likes to talk to students about how it is okay not to do [college] in the traditional four year plan. He also likes to talk about how it is never too late to start again.

“You don’t have to be an athlete, comedian, or magician to have a great life. You can make a great living being a plumber, carpenter, or electrician and there are opportunities for everybody. You just have to put the time and work in, you have to be committed,” Nuness said.

Nuness started work at HHS last year and hasn’t looked back ever since.

“I enjoy working with kids and enjoy making a difference seeing kids and making a difference in their lives,” Nuness said.