Hall of Fame
Svenningson was the head men's basketball coach for Nanooks from 1967-1985. Under his tutelage, Alaska won a school record 245 games during his 18 years and captured the school's first postseason tournament championship. He is still the longest-tenured men's basketball coach at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and coached several players who still rank inside the top five in both the all-time scoring and rebounding list.
Svenningson arrived at UAF during the 1967-68 season, which was only the second season of full intercollegiate competition for the men's basketball team, and quickly elevated Alaska into a regional power. He coached arguably the most success 10-year stretch in program history, as from 1971-72 to 1980-81, the Nanooks finished above .500 in all but two seasons, winning 172 games during that time.
In just his sixth season at the helm, Svenningson led the Nanooks to the 1973 NAIA District I Championship, which was the first postseason tournament victory for Alaska in school history. The following season, Alaska won a then-school-record 22 games, a mark which is still the second-highest to date, and made it back to the 1974 NAIA District I Championship Game.
The head coach led the Nanooks through their transition into NCAA Division II, which began in the 1982-83 season. In just their second season as a NCAA Division II member, Svenningson guided Alaska to a .500 record at 13-13. Overall, he collected a program-best 245 wins and posted a school-record eight winning seasons.
