Wyandot Sports Hall of Fame

Affectionately known as “Mr. Mohawk,” Donald Jack West Sr. is this year’s Mohawk High School inductee into the Wyandot County Sports Hall of Fame. West was a 1941 Liberty (now Liberty-Benton) High School graduate. Following high school he was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a B-29 Flight Engineer. Upon his return home from the service, West attended Ball State University, where he earned a B.S. in 1949. Nine years later, West returned to BSU to earn his Masters of Education Administration degree. West spent all but four years his educational career in various roles at both McCutchenville and the Mohawk Local School District.

West was the driving force behind the introduction of many of the school’s sports programs. He started track and field while at McCutchenville and also did the same once he assumed the role as athletic director at MHS. At Mohawk, he developed the school’s startups in the football, wrestling, girls’ track, tennis, golf, cross country, girls’ basketball and softball programs.

West was also an integral part of a three-person committee that organized the North Central Conference. The NCC was one of the area’s premiere leagues from its inception in 1962-63 until 1990-91 when the four Marion County schools announced their departure to the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference. In 1978, West was honored for his efforts on behalf of the school as he received a certificate from the Ohio High School Athletic Association for his contributions to high school athletics.

He passed away May 12, 2015, leaving behind two daughters, Jill Walton, of Sycamore, and her husband Tim, and Dr. L. Joan Welter, of Pittsburgh, and her spouse, Jim. West’s grandchildren include Dr. Zachary Walton, Marci Walton and Avery and Noah Welter.

“Mr. Mohawk” was true to the red and black until the end.