Induction Graduation Sport

2021 1981 Football | Basketball | Baseball

Don is a 1981 graduate of Hoover High School where he accumulated eight varsity letters in Football, Basketball, and Baseball.  He was a member of back-to-back Federal League Football championships in 1979 and 1980, and was voted All-Stark County quarterback his senior year.  Upon graduating from hoover, Don went on to play football at Ashland University where he was a four-year member of the Eagle Football Program.  In 2007, he was recognized by Ashland and received the Fred Martinelli Coach of the Year Away.  This award is given annually to a former Ashland University player who played under Coach Martinelli and went on to become a varsity head Football coach at the high school level.  In 1995, Coach Hertler started his head coaching career as the Head Baseball coach of Conotton Valley High School where he was also the varsity assistant Football coach.  He later became head Football and Baseball coach at Garaway High School in 1987, where he compiles a 66-15 record in Football over eight seasons.  After spending two years at Massillon as the Offensive Coordinator, Don came back home to North Canton to coach Football at his alma mater starting in 1996.  In 19 years, Don had an overall record of 136-75.  Included during his tenure were eight Federal League Championships.  He was also a 12-time qualifier to the state playoffs, a five-time Federal League Coach of the Year, Two-Time Associated Press All-Ohio Division I Coach of the Year, and he had an undefeated 2003 regular season.  In 2008, Coach Hertler led the Vikings Football program to the State Semifinals.  On two other occasions (2001 and 2007), he led the Football team to the regional finals.  After retiring from Hoover, Don was hired to lead the Conotton Valley Football program.