Weber State University Athletics
Hall of Fame - Don Spainhower
3/10/2015 8:04:00 PM | Wildcat Club
Don Spainhower
Reed K. Swenson Award (1963-73)
Inducted February 2005
Don Spainhower has long been associated with Weber State and Wildcat athletics. He joined the Weber State athletic department in 1963, when he was hired by Reed K. Swenson to become the department's first full-time sports information director.
He served as the football and basketball voice on KLO Radio, and also coached the freshman basketball team in 1963-64. Although he coached just one season, his claim to fame was beating the Utah State University freshman team which was coached by former Weber State head coach Phil Johnson, who went on to a long NBA coaching career.
While serving as WSU's SID, Spainhower earned several College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) awards for media guides ad game programs. His publicity skills and materials helped Ron McCall and Lee earn invitations to the East-West Shrine All-Star Football Game. His campaign for Willie Sojourner in the late 1960s helped the WSU center garner All-America honors and brought much attention to the Weber State program.
As a member of the NCAA Public Relations Committee in 1973, Spainhower managed the pressbox crew at the NCAA Tournament in St. Louis, Missouri, and brought his new bride, Karen, along for their honeymoon.
During his 18-year tenure as the voice of the Wildcats, Spainhower broadcast more than 700 Weber State football and men's basketball contests. He also served as the announced for all WSU swimming, wrestling and track and field meets in addition to keeping statistics 9by hand) for all sports.
In 1973, Spainhower was named Director of College Relations at Weber State. He left briefly to become vice-president of Mr. Mac's clothiers. He rejoined the WSU staff in 1981 as Executive Director of Development, serving in that capacity until 2001. He then continued his career as the WSU Director of Planned Giving.
Throughout his career, Spainhower received numerous awards and distinctions, including Utah Sportscaster of the Year (1962, 1972); WSU Alumni Distinguished Service Award (1975); Utah Fundraising Professional of the Year (1975); Outstanding WSU Professional Staff Member (2000). He also served on the board of directors of the Mount Ogden Rotary Club, executive director of the WSU Foundation (1963-96), and as director of the 1985 WSU Four-Year Capital Campaign, a group which raised $16.3 million, 3 million more than the goal.
Don is married to Karen Larsen. They have nine children, 35 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.