Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Athletics Legend Dead at 95
April 24, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT -- One of the legends in Central Michigan University athletics, Daniel "Danny" P. Rose, died on April 23, 2003 at the age of 95.
Rose spent more than 35 years in service to CMU, coming to Mount Pleasant in 1937 as a professor, assistant football coach, and head baseball and basketball coach. He became the athletics director in 1942 and served in that capacity until 1972.
"Danny was a courageous fighter and a tough guy," said former Chippewa basketball coach and athletics director Ted Kjolhede. "He was raised during an austere era and learned to be successful without too much."
Rose Arena, home of CMU basketball, was named after Danny in 1973.
Rose was 61-45 in 14 years as the baseball coach while his 14 basketball teams were 186-64. His 1948-49 team was 15-1 and ranked No. 1 in the country.
A product of Rogers City High School, Danny played basketball at the University of Michigan and was president of the senior class. He graduated in 1930.
Rose, who served as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy from December of 1942 through January of 1946, coached for eight years at Grand Rapids South High before coming to CMU. He was a member of CMU's inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame class in 1984, and was inducted into the Michigan Amateur Hall of Fame in 1975.