Elser, Don Obituary

Elser, Don attended Horace Mann High School in Gary, IN. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Elser, Don.

Graduation Year	Class of 1931
Date of Passing	Oct 18, 1968
About	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.