Don Watchorn, 91, Was Midland University Football Coach and Athletic Director for 21 Years

Don Watchorn, 91, Was Midland University Football Coach and Athletic Director for 21 Years

Monday, October 23, 2017

Don Watchorn, Midland Athletic Director and Head Football Coach from 1971-1992, passed away on October 20, 2017 at the age of 91.  Coach Watchorn guided the Warriors to an overall record of 116-81-3 during his career as the head coach at Midland, the most wins by any football coach in Midland history.

In 1992, Midland and Hastings College created a traveling trophy in honor of Coach Watchorn and Hastings Coach Tom McLaughlin.  Both men were outstanding student-athletes at their respective schools and later returned to their alma mater to become record-setting head football coaches.  The Watchorn-McLaughlin Trophy is presented annually to the winner of the Midland/Hastings football game and will be battled for next on November 4, 2017, at Heedum Field at 1:00pm.

Coach Watchorn touched the lives of hundreds of young men on the football field and, furthermore, he was committed to all of the students that attended Midland.  He had the unique ability to be both passionate and compassionate toward everyone. 

For additional thoughts and memories about Coach Watchorn, please read the Fremont Trbune's article.