ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Lyle Bud Belk, 91 years old, born on August 15, 1928, and passed away on July 27, 2020. We will remember him forever.

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Morry Hanson
August 18, 2020
August 18, 2020
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Bud. He was my high school basketball coach at Watertown High School. He was my favorite coach and he helped all the players on our team to become better. Thanks for all the memories of you Bud. 
Bill Baddeley
August 16, 2020
August 16, 2020
Sad to hear the news of Bud's passing. Bud was such a great person. He loved people; always had time for everyone. What a great ambassador for NDSU. I always remember Bud passing out Bison figurines to people on our road-trips: "A proud Bison". Thoughts and prayers go out to his family. 
Buddy Belk
August 14, 2020
August 14, 2020
(From InForum | Written By Jeff Kolpack | Aug 14th, 2020 - 1 pm.)


Bud was a treasure, an old-school coach who lived the basketball life at full speed.


Bud Belk, back left, and the 1969-70 North Dakota State men's basketball team. NDSU Athletics Photo
Bud Belk, back left, and the 1969-70 North Dakota State men's basketball team. NDSU Athletics Photo
FARGO — Growing up with the son of the North Dakota State head men’s basketball coach had its moments of coolness, not to mention craziness.

Lyle “Bud” Belk passed away last month at age 91; his obituary appeared today on inforum.com. Bud was a treasure, an old-school coach who lived the basketball life at full speed.

He led the Bison to a North Central Conference title in 1970-71, the first one for the school in 20 years. He was the NDSU head coach from 1968-72, resigning for health reasons mainly because he put every ounce of energy he had into it.

His son, John, and I hung out through the growing-up years and there were times at night in the Belk basement when Bud, no longer the basketball coach but a professor at NDSU, would grab his short-wave radio and check in on every NCC game he could.

He’d zip the dial to the St. Cloud game. Over to Augustana. Back to South Dakota State. He knew exactly how to hear each game. I didn’t remember exactly the games or stations but you get the idea.

One time on a youth basketball tournament trip to Omaha, Bud, at every stop, would seemingly get on a payphone and talk to basketball people. He loved the NCC.

His Bison team was the one that christened what was then called the New Fieldhouse in 1970 and later renamed the Bison Sports Arena. The old tartan floor surface was considered state of the art. The facility is now the Sanford Health Athletic Complex.

That team hosted Villanova that year, a Wildcats team that finished runner-up to UCLA in the NCAA tournament. I’m sure Bud pulled some strings to get that game at home.

Bud was always on the move. The intensity of those NCC games back in the day, when the arenas were smaller, must have been something else. Bud was a good guy. All those students who had him for a teacher would say the same.
ALISON DENNIS
August 14, 2020
August 14, 2020
Sorry to hear of Bud's passing. He was a first cousin to my husband Dean Dennis. We didn't get to see him very often but always enjoyed our visits when we did.

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Recent Tributes
Morry Hanson
August 18, 2020
August 18, 2020
Very sorry to hear of the passing of Bud. He was my high school basketball coach at Watertown High School. He was my favorite coach and he helped all the players on our team to become better. Thanks for all the memories of you Bud. 
Bill Baddeley
August 16, 2020
August 16, 2020
Sad to hear the news of Bud's passing. Bud was such a great person. He loved people; always had time for everyone. What a great ambassador for NDSU. I always remember Bud passing out Bison figurines to people on our road-trips: "A proud Bison". Thoughts and prayers go out to his family. 
Buddy Belk
August 14, 2020
August 14, 2020
(From InForum | Written By Jeff Kolpack | Aug 14th, 2020 - 1 pm.)


Bud was a treasure, an old-school coach who lived the basketball life at full speed.


Bud Belk, back left, and the 1969-70 North Dakota State men's basketball team. NDSU Athletics Photo
Bud Belk, back left, and the 1969-70 North Dakota State men's basketball team. NDSU Athletics Photo
FARGO — Growing up with the son of the North Dakota State head men’s basketball coach had its moments of coolness, not to mention craziness.

Lyle “Bud” Belk passed away last month at age 91; his obituary appeared today on inforum.com. Bud was a treasure, an old-school coach who lived the basketball life at full speed.

He led the Bison to a North Central Conference title in 1970-71, the first one for the school in 20 years. He was the NDSU head coach from 1968-72, resigning for health reasons mainly because he put every ounce of energy he had into it.

His son, John, and I hung out through the growing-up years and there were times at night in the Belk basement when Bud, no longer the basketball coach but a professor at NDSU, would grab his short-wave radio and check in on every NCC game he could.

He’d zip the dial to the St. Cloud game. Over to Augustana. Back to South Dakota State. He knew exactly how to hear each game. I didn’t remember exactly the games or stations but you get the idea.

One time on a youth basketball tournament trip to Omaha, Bud, at every stop, would seemingly get on a payphone and talk to basketball people. He loved the NCC.

His Bison team was the one that christened what was then called the New Fieldhouse in 1970 and later renamed the Bison Sports Arena. The old tartan floor surface was considered state of the art. The facility is now the Sanford Health Athletic Complex.

That team hosted Villanova that year, a Wildcats team that finished runner-up to UCLA in the NCAA tournament. I’m sure Bud pulled some strings to get that game at home.

Bud was always on the move. The intensity of those NCC games back in the day, when the arenas were smaller, must have been something else. Bud was a good guy. All those students who had him for a teacher would say the same.
View all 4 tributes
Gallery
NDSU 1970-1971 NCC Championship team (see 'life' tab for story by Jeff Kolpack)
Great Papa's 90th birthday party with Brez and Finn
Great Papa Bud and his oldest great-grandchild, Finn
Bud at the Haines Deer Camp
Great Papa Bud and his starting five.
Bud having a chat with the great Sherwin Linton...who attended Watertown High when Bud coached there
His Life

Lyle V. 'Bud' Belk obituary

August 14, 2020
by Buddy Belk
Lyle V. “Bud” Belk passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 27, 2020 at the age of 91.

Bud is predeceased by his parents, Vernon and Eva Belk, his brother Harold Belk, and his sister Phyllis and brother-in-law Bill Ptak.

Bud is lovingly remembered by his sons Brad (Carolyn) of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, and John (Joni) of Fargo, North Dakota, Brad and John’s mother, Virginia Belk (Fargo), grandchildren Taylor (Bree) Belk, Tessa (Cory) Samson, Hannah (Levi) Arneson,  all of Fargo, Jacob Belk, Blaine, Minnesota, Alexia and Zachary Belk, Fargo.

Bud also adored his five great-grandchildren: Finnley & Maverick Samson, Brezlynn & Bowden Belk, and Emmett Arneson.

Bud was born August 15, 1928 on the family farm, north of Henry, South Dakota. After graduating from Henry High School, he attended South Dakota State University where he played basketball. Bud was a founding member of South Dakota Independent Basketball.

In 1957, he enlisted in the Navy, spending a year in Japan.

Bud returned to South Dakota and began his coaching career with the Watertown Arrows. In 1959 Bud took a job coaching boys basketball at Abraham Lincoln H.S. in San Diego, California.

Bud returned to South Dakota in the summer of 1960 as the head coach of the Aberdeen High School Golden Eagles boys basketball team. In his first season they won the State Championship.

In 1964, Bud accepted the NDSU men’s basketball assistant coach position.

In 1967 he became head coach of the Bison. His 1970-1971 season saw the Bison win their first NCC Championship since 1951.

Bud also served as an educator throughout his coaching career. In August of 1975 The Belk’s relocated to Salt Lake City as Bud completed his P.H.D. and began writing his dissertation at the University of Utah. In August of 1976 they returned to Fargo and Bud continued teaching until 1998, when he retired from NDSU.

Bud’s interests included visiting family & friends, playing cards, working on puzzles, re- searching family ancestry, and demonstrating his laser-fast navigation on his iPhone & iPad. Bud was a 63-year member of ELKS.

A small family ceremony will be scheduled at a later date.

If a memorial is desired, consider the Disabled American Veterans, or local food shelf.

Recent stories

Class Man!

August 15, 2020
by Erv and Linda Inniger
Sympathies to the family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.  I so enjoyed working with Bud when I was coaching at NDSU.  He was a good friend and mentor to me.  Always had a smile and uplifting comment for you.  Made a difference in a lot of people’s lives including mine.  God bless May he Rest In Peace

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