Don Unruh (NAHS ’74)

NAHS Faculty/Staff 1987-2019

Q: Can you describe your path to becoming AD? Was it a career goal long before you took the job?

DON: Comparing the road that Les traveled… to mine… the differences were huge. I came to the job in year 21 of my teaching career (English). I’d been a coach every year from 1978 to 1987, and during my first twelve years at NAHS. I had already coached high school basketball, before I returned to New Albany. I jumped right in… as soccer coach and assistant basketball coach to Jim Miller. I succeeded Jim for three years, 1995-1998. – – including going to state with the ‘Dogs my first year. Losing the final game to Ben Davis High School came in double overtime… with a 30-footer at the buzzer. Just getting over that, my dear friend Gary Austin (AD 1986-1998) was a big help.

It also helped a lot that Gary prepared me to succeed him. Of course, the job was already well defined. I needed that. I had very big shoes to fill. Still, I had this advantage: I grew up in the shadows of three giants: Gary, Alex Thom and Stan Sajko.

Q: How did high school sports change during your tenure as AD?

DON:During my tenure, one of the most rewarding changes, in my opinion… was IHSAA’s addition of Unified Track and Field (2015). Both high schools adopted it. Unified sports programs give special needs students the opportunity to compete in athletics and earn varsity letters alongside student-partners. Another big change for the NAHS athletic department was the arrival of Romeo Langford. I feel confident about this: living through three seasons like Romeo’s sophomore, junior and senior years just might remain a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Season ticket sales tripled, each game was sold out before we opened the gates, and long lines for autographs stretched through the NAHS hallways!

Q: What aspects of your job would surprise the public?

DON: The AD is a CFO and a COO and “almost a CEO”. How is that true? Well… the school board, our principals, and the NAFCS administration keep us (mostly) in our place and protect us from many executive matters. Most likely, the public has very little awareness of how an athletic department is a lean business unit running literally on shoestrings. We certainly both wish that someone could control the cost of a football helmet!

Q: How did your career impact your family life?

DON: I’m nearly a generation younger than Les. My decision to retire is based partly on the family life that lies ahead for me and my wife, Denise. We have four grandchildren: twin grandsons, five years old this year – – a little brother, age three – – and our new baby granddaughter, who is six months old.

Q: Looking back at your career, were there specific individuals or things that left a lasting impact on you?

DON: I really want to recognize and thank the dedicated, hard-working NAHS coaches… plus the athletic department staff of Marlene Stephens, Jim King, and John Breeding. What a pleasure it has been to work with them! Moreover, the Bulldog fans make this such a great place to be. Some walk a few blocks down Vincennes Street; some get on buses and ride all over everywhere with us. Home or away, they always impress us… and our opponents… with their fierce school pride and good sportsmanship. I have a bright and shining vision of the future for our grandchildren and their grandchildren – – singing “Hail N-A-H-S” into the next century.

Read the entire December 2022 Legacy Ledger (Issue 28).

Sharing is caring!