Horace Mann High School Alumni
Gary, Indiana (IN)
In Memory of
Elser, Don
Passed away 1968
Elser, Don attended Horace Mann High School in Gary, IN.
Class of 1931
Date of Passing Unknown
Date of Passing Unknown
Inducted: May 2, 1982 in Merrillville, IN (Posthumously)
Date of Birth: August 4, 1913 in Gary, IN
High School: Gary Horace Mann Graduated: 1931
High School Honors: Numerous records in track; state record in shot put in 1931; All-State in football and basketball; 4 letters in basketball; total of 12 letters from participating in football, basketball, and track; baseball captain 1928; football and basketball captain 1930.
College Attended: University of Notre Dame Graduated: 1936
University of Wisconsin MS
College Honors: 7 Monograms in football (3), basketball (3), and track (1); set 23 shot put records; graduated Cum Laude; Honorable Mention All-American in football; played in 1936 Chicago Tribune All-Star Football Game, tying the Detroit Lions, 7-7.
Professional Athletic Background: Played professional ball one year with Boston Shamrocks 1937; also played professional basketball with the Gary Ingots while coaching and teaching physical education at Horace Mann.
Coaching Experience: Was athletic director and assistant football coach 1937-1940 at St. Benedict's College, KS, with a record of 7-1-1; won Conference Championship; began coaching at Horace Mann in 1941; resumed coaching at Horace Mann in football, freshman basketball and track; team won conference titles 1958, 1961 in football; overall Horace Mann coaching record 107-104-11; also served as track coach from 1959 until his death.
Special Recognition: Entered service in 1942 for 4 1/2 years with US Navy, serving as an officer on an aircraft carrier; played guard on an undefeated Navy Pre-Flight team; left Navy as a lieutenant; served as a Big Ten basketball and football official, retiring in 1968 after 20 years’ service to become an observer of officials for the Big Ten; was an umpire for annual College All-Star game in Soldier Field for 10 years; umpired the 1958 Rose Bowl Game; received Official of the Year Award by Knute Rockne Club of Kansas City, KS, 1958; elected to Gary Hall of Fame 1967.
Family: Wife (deceased); daughters, Elizabeth and Donna; granddaughter, Faith.
Coach Elser passed away October 18, 1968.
Date of Birth: August 4, 1913 in Gary, IN
High School: Gary Horace Mann Graduated: 1931
High School Honors: Numerous records in track; state record in shot put in 1931; All-State in football and basketball; 4 letters in basketball; total of 12 letters from participating in football, basketball, and track; baseball captain 1928; football and basketball captain 1930.
College Attended: University of Notre Dame Graduated: 1936
University of Wisconsin MS
College Honors: 7 Monograms in football (3), basketball (3), and track (1); set 23 shot put records; graduated Cum Laude; Honorable Mention All-American in football; played in 1936 Chicago Tribune All-Star Football Game, tying the Detroit Lions, 7-7.
Professional Athletic Background: Played professional ball one year with Boston Shamrocks 1937; also played professional basketball with the Gary Ingots while coaching and teaching physical education at Horace Mann.
Coaching Experience: Was athletic director and assistant football coach 1937-1940 at St. Benedict's College, KS, with a record of 7-1-1; won Conference Championship; began coaching at Horace Mann in 1941; resumed coaching at Horace Mann in football, freshman basketball and track; team won conference titles 1958, 1961 in football; overall Horace Mann coaching record 107-104-11; also served as track coach from 1959 until his death.
Special Recognition: Entered service in 1942 for 4 1/2 years with US Navy, serving as an officer on an aircraft carrier; played guard on an undefeated Navy Pre-Flight team; left Navy as a lieutenant; served as a Big Ten basketball and football official, retiring in 1968 after 20 years’ service to become an observer of officials for the Big Ten; was an umpire for annual College All-Star game in Soldier Field for 10 years; umpired the 1958 Rose Bowl Game; received Official of the Year Award by Knute Rockne Club of Kansas City, KS, 1958; elected to Gary Hall of Fame 1967.
Family: Wife (deceased); daughters, Elizabeth and Donna; granddaughter, Faith.
Coach Elser passed away October 18, 1968.