OUTSTANDING ATHLETE

Induction Year: 2004 | Graduation Year: 1951

Born May 13, 1933 in Springfield, Ohio, Don attended Rockway Elementary and Junior High, where education, music, and athletics formed a solid foundation for his high school years at Olive Branch High School and for his life's work.

Don was a 1951 graduate (the last graduating class) of Olive Branch High School. He played in the orchestra, sang in the choir and glee club and had a major role in the HMS Pinafore Operetta and the Senior Class Play. Don was a three-year letterman in track (high jump, 440 and mile relay), baseball (1st base) and basketball (forward and center). Don played under Coach Frank Shannon, his lifetime mentor.

Don was best known for his basketball accomplishments as a team player. His sophomore year, the team was undefeated in the regular season, Clark County League and Tournament champions and district runner-up. The team was 15-2 in the regular season his junior year, winning the Clark County League and Tournament, finishing as a district semifinalist. His senior year, after losing to Sabina and Newton early in the season, the Spartans won 20 in a row before bowing out to Marysville as a regional semifinalist. The team was undefeated in the Clark County League and Tournament and was Southwest District Champions. Individually, Don was the leading rebounder on the team as well as second in team scoring. He was also second in regular season scoring in the county, runner-up to teammate Rollie Dulaney. Don was named to the first team All County and was named MVP for the All Ohio Class B All Stars.

After high school, Don attended Wittenberg University where he earned three varsity letters as a starter for the Tigers. His college career was interrupted while he served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He continued his basketball career while serving at Camp Rucker and Fort Benning, playing for the Post Teams. He returned to Wittenberg University and the basketball team after his military duty.

He received his BS in Education (Physical Education/Math) from Wittenberg University; then continued his higher education, earning a MA in Education from Columbia University.

His teaching/coaching career spanned 31 years, teaching Math and Physical Education. Coaching assignments included basketball, cross country, baseball, golf, assistant football and track. He also was a middle school AthleticDirector and college adjunct professor. His career travels included stops at Wittenberg University (Freshmen coach), Tipp City, Sherman, N.Y., Mexico, N.Y., Wilmington, Hustead Middle School and Sinclair Community College, retiring from Greenon High School. Upon retirement, Don served as a Red Coat Volunteer at Mercy Hospital and worked asa part-time funeral director's aide.

Don continued his love for music, singing in church choirs and playing in community bands and orchestras. He was a charter member of the Sentimentalists Big Band and founded The Sounds of Praise Christian Band. He was a member of the Springfield Noon Optimist and coached Optimist Little League Baseball. He also served as the Bench Manager of the first Springfield team in the AA Dayton Baseball League.

Don has been blessed with three sons - Lee, the Information Officer for the Ohio National Guard (Warrant Officer), Darryl, a high school teacher in Medina, Ohio, and Andy, a policeman with the Springfield Police Force, as well as five grandchildren. Don currently resides with his wife, Mae, at On Top Of The World, a retirement community inOcala, Florida, where he continues his involvement in music and athletics. He plays golf in the Divot Diggers League and the Men's Golf Association. He won the Memorial Tournament (one of the three major annual tournaments of the MGA) in 2000. He operates the GHIN Handicap System for 500+ golfers in the community and does the pairings and scoring for the LGA and MGA weekly matches. He plays trombone with the Center Stage Band of Ocala as well as the First Baptist Church Orchestra.

Don is thankful for his classmates, teammates, teachers, and Coach Frank Shannon for the influence that they have had on his life and he shares this honor with each of them.