Boehler, Don

 

Don Boehler – (1984)

 

Don (Red) Boehler

Don “Red” Boehler was a “Man of Letters” at Lorain High in the late 1930’s. Three letters in football—three in track—three in basketball. If there had been a baseball team he would have collected three more.

In 1937, as a 15 year old sophomore, Don played as a two way end on the football team. That year Lorain was 7-3 and tied Elyria for the Lehi Title. In 1938 Don began to receive acclaim for his offensive blocking and aggressive defensive play. He was Honorable Mention All-Ohio as Lorain won the Lehi Title outright. In 1939 Don continued his stellar play and became noted for his ability to block apponents’ kicks. He made All-Ohio and as Co-Captain led Lorain to an undefeated season and another Lehi Title.

As the seasons changed, so did Don’s athletic endeavors. In the winter, it was basketball where the competitive fires did not burn as brightly. However, Don showed steady improvement and earned a reserve letter in 1937 and varsity letters in 1938 and 1939. He Co-Captained the ’39 – ’40 team. In spring it was track where Don ran the 880 relay and starred in the discus and shotput. It was in these events that Don joined John Willis and Al Kuncel to give Lorain High a formidable finish in the Lehi meets. With Willis, Don represented Lorain in the State Track meet. The three man team participated in the Mansfield and Delaware Relays on the same day and returned with three trophies and three medals. In the summer, Don was a left handed pitcher for several of the better sandlot teams in the Lorain area.

Sought by Michigan, Ohio State and other Big Ten Teams, Don decided on the University of Kentucky. He liked their program and he was slated to be a left-handed starter on the baseball squad as well as a two way end in football.

The freshman football team went undefeated as Don had a big year. However, while recovering a fumble Don’s left arm was injured and his pitching career ended. His football career as a starting end looked bright. However, after the Vanderbilt game Don did not wake up until Monday morning. After the Alabama game he woke up Sunday afternoon. He suffered concussions and the doctors said no more football. Besides a bigger game started 1941 and Don joined the Navy!