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BEFORE HUNTINGTON 
Before attending college, Dean Merryman had an outstanding career at Huntington Township High School. Over the course of his three-year varsity career, Dean scored 1,132 points, leading his team to the Huntington Sectional title his senior year.
His stats in the Sectional games that year were absolutely impressive with 84 points (21.0 per game) and 93 rebounds (23.2 per game). It is the best individual effort by any player in Huntington Sectional history.
THE COLLEGE DECISION
Dean had several influences in his decision to attend Huntington College: his sister, Mary Alice, had graduated from there; the proximity of the school was convenient (he could see the roof of the Ad Building from his home), and visits by Prof Webster Muck and Huntington great and Hall of Fame member, Tom Rethlake, were persuasive.
Perhaps the biggest factor was a visit by a first year player and future Hall of Fame member, Lowell Stouder. Dean had played against Lowell and knew he would enjoy playing along side him at Huntington.
In recruiting Dean, Coach Klopfenstein saw the prospects of a very special team, which encouraged him to spearhead formation of the Mid-Central Collegiate Conference.
FORESTER MEMORIES
Dean says his best memories are those the team received. The Foresters were invited to the NAIA State playoffs to determine the representative to the Kansas City NAIA national championship. At the time, only four teams state-wide were invited and that meant Huntington College was recognized as one of Indiana’s best teams.
There were some individual honors along the way. Dean was selected All-Conference three years in a row. When he graduated in 1962, he was the all-time leading scorer in Huntington history. Rebounding was his forte, as well; he was always ranked near the top of the NAIA in that category.
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LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
After earning his degree, Dean married Susanna Shelhamer, one of the Huntington cheerleaders. He says, “Sue has been and continues to be the light of my life.”
They have been blessed with four sons: Mike, Mark, Brian, and Steve. All four were involved in athletics at Carroll Jr. High and Carroll High School, where Dean spent his entire career teaching math and coaching sports at different levels.
He was also instrumental in initiating the Y-ball program. Starting with four teams, the program now has games being played at four different sites. He was also the local director of the Junior Baseball Program.
HALL OF FAME RECOGNITION
Dean recalls receiving a letter from Coach Klopfenstein informing him that he was to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. “What at honor,” he says. He acknowledges his teammates, saying without them such an award would never have been possible.
THE FORESTERS TODAY
Attending Forester games and renewing friendships with his college acquaintances has become a pleasurable experience for Dean and Susanna in recent years.
As he observes, “The hustle and teamwork Coach Platt has instilled in his players make watching them a real pleasure. The skill levels of these athletes are unbelievable.” He hopes that Huntington University can hoist that championship trophy in Branson sometime in the very near future.
Dean remains a humble man; the same today as he was throughout his career. He has certainly made many life-long friends within the Huntington University family. Scott Hosler, a great player that transferred to Huntington from California, and Wallace Stoffel, a guard on the team for which he played, remain the best of friends today. Dean Merryman is truly one of Huntington’s finest; he is a classic Forester.
- by Bill Lightner ('60)
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Dean Merryman (2006)
Dean Merryman (#50)
Dean Merryman (1962)
Additional Photos
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