Don Erusha (2000) - Hall of Fame

Don Erusha

Induction:
2000

Very few coaches can say that they have touched as many lives of so many young athletes as Don Erusha. For most of his life, Erusha has given himself to the game of football. He gave himself to the players.

Erusha graduated from Franklin High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He then went on to be a three-year starting guard for Coe College, playing on the 1950 Midwest Conference Championship team. He received his degree in physical education in 1952. He then went to the University of Iowa, receiving his Master's in 1958. After graduation, he was named the assistant football coach, head womenÕs basketball and track coach at West Branch, Iowa, serving from 1953-55. He then moved to West Union (Iowa) High School where he was head football and basketball coach from 1955-56, only to return to his alma mater, Coe College, in 1962 to assist in football duties and coach the wrestling team.

In 1963, Erusha accepted a position as Associate Professor of Physical Education at the University of Northern Iowa, a position he held for nearly 40 years. While at UNI, Erusha also served as the Director of Intramurals from 1978-95 and Coordinator of Campus Recreation from 1991-1995.

Erusha may be best recognized for his accomplishments on the sidelines. He was part of the UNI coaching staff with the legendary Stan Sheriff that won four North Central Conference crowns and two Mid-Continent titles. After the 1987 football season, Erusha made the transition back from college to high school. Erusha spent the next eight years as an assistant coach for Cedar Falls High School, winning a state championship in 1986. He then took a year off to get back onto the college scene, before returning to the high school ranks.

Erusha received the 1991 Iowa Football Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year award for his contribution to the game and students. The following year, he was presented The 30 Years of Coaching Award. In 1994, Erusha moved to Division III football as an assistant coach at Wartburg College until 1997. Throughout his career Erusha coached 12 college all-Americans and 17 high school all-staters. He is a member of the Coe College and Washington High School Athletic Halls of Fame.