Mel Hutchins passes away at the age of 90

N.Y. Times Obituary

PROVO, Utah – BYU men’s basketball star Mel Hutchins passed away late Wednesday evening at the age of 90 near his home in Encinitas, California.

Hutchins, one of the all-time greats in Cougar history, is one of only four BYU men’s basketball players along with Danny Ainge, Kresimir Cosic and Roland Minson to have his jersey retired. Hutchins and Minson had their jerseys retired together on Feb. 16, 2013. Hutchins was inducted into the BYU Hall of Fame in 1976.

Known for his defensive and rebounding prowess, Hutchins is one of the greatest post players to suit up for BYU. In three years playing on the varsity squad, Hutchins led the Cougars to three Skyline Conference titles (1948, 1950, 1951) and the 1951 NIT National Championship. Hutchins was a two-time first-team All-Skyline Conference honoree and was named a first-team All-American in 1951 by Look Magazine, Converse, Helms and Sporting News.

As a senior, Hutchins averaged 15.4 points and set a BYU single-season record for rebounds with 471 (12.7 per game), a record that still stands today. Known as ‘The Big Elf’ (1950-51 BYU basketball media guide), Hutchins earned a spot in the East-West game following his senior season and was named the game’s MVP.

After graduating from BYU, Hutchins was drafted second overall in the 1951 NBA Draft. When No. 1 pick Gene Melchiore was given a lifetime ban from playing in the NBA, Hutchins was recognized as being the No. 1 overall pick and was given the $7,000 bonus that was awarded to the top pick in the NBA Draft.

Hutchins went on to win the 1952 NBA Rookie of the Year award and lead the league in rebounding (880) and rebounding average (13.3) that same season. A five-time NBA All-Star selection (1953, 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958), Hutchins led three NBA teams to Western Division titles. He concluded his NBA career with 4,851 points, 4,186 rebounds and 1,298 assists.

Following his NBA career, Hutchins worked in real estate and gained recognition as an amateur golfer in Northern California.

Hutchins was married to the former Lorene Hardy, who passed away in 2011. They were the parents of five children (Laura, Matt, Dana, Melanie and Shana), 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. His sister is 1952 Miss America winner Colleen Kay Hutchins, and he is the uncle of former two-time NBA All-Star Kiki Vandeweghe.

Funeral services will be held at 1444 Lake Dr., Cardiff, CA 92007

Cards and notes can be sent to:
Melanie Hutchins Holmes
2425 Oxford Ave.
Cardiff, CA 92007