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Submitted: 10/11/12 • Approved: 8/25/22 • Last Updated: 8/28/22 • R765481-G0-S3
Don Sevier
August 17, 1934 - May 5, 2012
Coach Athlete Arkansas Sports Legend
Don attended Waldron High School where he was a standout high school athlete. He was a two sport star in basketball and football at Arkansas Tech where he graduated in 1957. Don was offered a professional football contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League and a basketball contract with the Phillips 66ers but chose to devote his life to coaching and teaching young men. He went on to teach and coach for nearly forty years at Hope, El Dorado and Russellville High Schools and Arkansas Tech University where the "Wonderboys" played for the NAIA national championship in football in 1971, as Don assisted then head coach, Don Dempsey.
Coach Sevier finished his career at Arkansas Tech by serving as the Director of Athletics for nineteen years. During that time, he was instrumental in the leadership of the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference and was a true pioneer in helping Arkansas Tech transition to the NCAA and helped form and compete in the most powerful division two conference, The Gulf South. Don's original belief was that the Arkansas schools would be better off competing in a smaller league made up of the old "AIC" and the division two schools in Oklahoma. Coach Sevier saw that come to fruition this year in the formation of the new Great American Conference. For his service to Arkansas Tech, Don was inducted into the Arkansas Tech Hall of Distinction in 2001.
Don was a man of solid character, honesty and faith and cherished so much the relationships he fostered with players, coaches and other administrators throughout his career. Coach Sevier retired in 1994 and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Don was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Russellville.
He married Joan ? In ? Their only child Jolie Sevier married Dr Blaine Leeds. His grandchildren are Brandt and Brennan Leeds.
He was buried in Duncan Cemetery at Waldron, Scott County, Arkansas.
See Photo.
Contributed on 10/11/12 by murdockpat123
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Record #: 765481