Al Nichols, the individual most responsible for the Muskegon pipeline to Southern Colorado State College in the 1960s and 1970s, passed away in his western Michigan hometown over the weekend.

Nichols (April 19, 1943 – March 25, 2026) helped steer the likes of Muskegon prep products Sam Moore, John Smith, Larry Hammock, Steve Kidd, and Cal Tatum to Pueblo to play for coach Harry Simmons.

Along with Nichols, the Muskegones scored 7,890 points and grabbed 4,249 rebounds over a 10-season period as SCSC compiled a 173-68 record (66.8 winning percentage) with five appearances in the national tournaments.

"Though many miles separated us over the years, Al was always the one to bridge that distance with a warm phone call and a long, cherished chat," said Jim Simmons, who played against Nichols in junior college. "That says everything about the man – thoughtful, caring, and always reaching out."

"Though many miles separated us over the years, Al was always the one to bridge that distance with a warm phone call and a long, cherished chat," added Simmons, the son of Coach Harry Simmons. "That says everything about the man – thoughtful, caring, and always reaching out."

Simmons said, "What he admired most about Al was that he returned to Muskegon and gave back in extraordinary ways – 26 years as a school principal, a voice on the radio that generations came to know and love, a mentor to countless young people, and a community leader recognized with some of the highest local honors a person can receive. A Prince of a Man in every sense."

Born in Chicago during World War II, Nichols was raised in the Muskegon Public School system, where he attended Nelson Elementary and Junior High, and Muskegon High School.

Known as a "shifty point guard", Nichols played three years of varsity basketball for Muskegon High and was a co-captain as a junior and captain as a senior. He was an all-state selection by the Detroit Free Press after the 1960 season and became the first African American to have his name inscribed on the Clayton L. Beach Athletic Cup.

After playing at Otero Junior College in LaJunta, Colo., Nichols played on the first three Southern Colorado State College (now Colorado State University Pueblo) men's basketball teams (1963-1966) and scored 590 points in 76 games.

Nichols graduated from CSU with an associate's and a bachelor's degree. He continued his postgraduate education at Western Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, and Central Michigan University.

A teacher, coach, and administrator for over 30 years, Nichols spent 20 years at Baldwin Community Schools as the elementary principal after spending three years as a teacher in Denver, Colorado. He later returned to Muskegon and spent nine years at Muskegon Heights High School before retiring in 2007.

Since retiring, Nichols was involved in various Muskegon community foundations, including the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame and the Muskegon Heights Alumni Association.