Induction Graduation Sport

2024 1968 Football | Basketball | Baseball | Track

Don was a multi-sport student athlete, participating in football and basketball for four years, baseball three years, track two years, and was awarded 9 varsity letters. Don was team captain and selected to the Inland Conference Basketball 2nd Team during his senior year. During the baseball season, he played the positions of 3rd base, catcher, and pitcher, was team captain, and was named to the Inland Conference 1st Team. Don played a lot of football on both sides of the ball. He was team captain, played offensive guard, defensive linebacker, and was selected to the Inland Conference 1st Team offense and 1st Team Defense. He was also named to the District 1st Team Offense. The highlight of his senior year was being selected to the All Ohio 2nd Team. In researching the OHSAA websites, it is believed that Don was Columbia's first All Ohio student athlete. Don attended Baldwin Wallace College where he obtained an Education Degree in Health and Physical Education, while playing football and baseball, and received his Masters Degree in Sports Psychology from the University of Ashland. He taught science, health, and Phys Ed for 35 years at North Royalton High School and Middle School, while coaching track for 35 years, golf for 18 years, football for 17 years, and basketball for 16 years. He was also the BW Men's Basketball assistant coach for 25 years.