Members

Inductee
BALES, DON E.
BALES, DON E.
Born on February 2, 1952
Inducted On
May 1, 2011
Location Inducted
Merrillville, IN
Region Number
1
Lowell
Merit - Administrato
Hebron, IN
1970
Indiana Central College (now called University of Indianapolis) 1974; Indiana University Northwest MS
1979
Portage Township Schools cross country, 7th and 8th grade basketball coach; organized and implemented youth basketball programs for boys and girls and served as coach for youth soccer and basketball programs; served as director or member of numerous Lake Suburban Conference sports committees; recipient of State Award of Merit 1996; president of IIAAA 1992-1993; has served as Indiana Representative at NIAA Leadership Forums; has held various offices with NIAAA Board of Directors, including president 1998; inducted into the National Presidential Hall of Fame (NASPE affiliation) 2008; received the NIAAA Award of Merit 2008; selected as the Calumet Region Sportsmanship Committee "Lifetime Achievement Award" recipient, 2011; speaker and presenter at numerous workshops and conferences in several states.
Wife, Beth; children, Brian and Justin (wife, Kelsey).
Coaching Experience: etball, 9th grade baseball, and assistant varsity basketball coach 1974-1979; Tri-Creek Schools as varsity basketball coach 1979-1981.

Merit Contributor - Athletic Director: Served as Tri-Creek School Corporation, Lowell HS Athletic Director from 1981 to his retirement in 2010; lifetime member Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association; member of several other coaching and administrative associations; certified instructor for American Sports Education Program, water safety, and leadership training courses; speaker at a variety of youth, club, and professional programs at the state and national levels; District 1 IIAAA Athletic Director of the Year 1994 and 2003; Indiana Athletic Director of the Year 2003; selected as National Athletic Director of the Year 2004.