Don Spaulding’s contributions to The W Athletics – and the University – has run the gamut of possibilities. His dedicated and passionate support – ranging from the Blues of yesteryear to the current Owls’ athletics program – spans 40 years, serving as a champion for women’s athletics at a time when it was needed the most.
That is why Spaulding was a no-doubt choice for induction into The W Athletics Hall of Fame, under its Distinguished Service category. And it is only fitting that he takes his place in the HOF, at the same time as the 1986 volleyball team, which, in many ways, was the catalyst for his relationship with The W Athletics.
Spaulding was a 1986 graduate of The W, with a degree in nursing. The recession of the early-1980s forced campus budget cuts, among those affecting the Blues’ sports team was the elimination of a full-time athletic trainer. Those duties were parceled out to folks like Spaulding who, as a nursing major, took on the care and prevention of injuries, and proper preparation, for several of the MUW athletics teams. That led to him forging his ongoing relationship with
another of the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees, Coach Samye Johnson.
On one particular trip, in which Spaulding was not only traveling as the team’s de facto athletic trainer, he also took on driving the team bus (which was not uncommon). The bus pulled in for a gas stop, and Coach Johnson realized that she had forgotten to bring along the school’s credit card to pay the gas bill. Rather than have to turn around and possibly miss the competition, Spaulding stepped in to put the fill up on his own personal credit card, enabling the Blues to be on time for their match.
“I can assure you that my abilities to drive a bus were tested more times than I care to remember,” Johnson recounted on how she first became acquainted with Spaulding. “Then along came a young man by the name of Don Spaulding, a nursing student, who volunteered to drive the bus. I thought: he is a big guy-he can help protect us-he is funny-he can help make us laugh-he is easy going-he can help make the kids feel comfortable-he is a nursing student-he can help take care of us and most of all he can drive a bus!
“What a blessing he was and still is to me! Don, with his dynamic personality, was loved by all. He will always be appreciated more than he will ever know by this old coach.”
Athletically, Spaulding has continued that type of affinity for The W Athletics through the years. Most recently, his financial leadership made possible the recent renovations to the Don Usher Softball Field (concrete area around perimeter/building; dugout & press box improvements, chairback seating) to keep it one of the premier venues in the region. Don and his wife, Barbara, also did a matching gifts campaign to establish the Samye Johnson Leadership Scholarship and helped facilitate the Owls’ competition court being named in Johnson’s honor.
Even if you do not know Spaulding, if you are a part of The W in any way, you have likely been impacted by his generosity. In addition to athletics, he has supported MUW’s Mock Trial Team, the Welty Gala, The Student Emergency Fund, The W Fund, the Health and Kinesiology Fund, to name a few. Spaulding has been instrumental in spearheading several scholarships, like the Professional Development Scholars Fund, Andrea Nester Stevens Leadership Scholarship, and supports the Class of 1986 Scholarship. He has also supported various other scholarships throughout the years.
“When you think of Don Spaulding, you think smart, funny, resourceful, loyal and caring,” Dr. Teresa Thompson, a former classmate and current member of MUW’s Alumni office, said. “When there is a need, Don always steps in and helps. Don has been very generous to The W and continues to support our programs.”
If you recall the movie The Natural, after a home run by the Robert Redford character, the radio broadcaster proclaims “Good Night, Mr. Spalding,” in celebrating the particularly prodigious hit. While the spelling is different, the sentiment is equally enthusiastic in paraphrasing, as we say “Thank You, Mr. Spaulding” for the home run you have been to The W Athletics for 40 years, as we honor your distinguished service.
