Fort Lewis College Athletics

Few people have been as dedicated to Fort Lewis College as Dr. Donald F. Whalen. From his roles as coach and physical education instructor through his two terms as acting president, Whalen helped the school become what it is today-one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the West.

Whalen began a 29-year career at Fort Lewis College in 1959 as a physical education instructor, head basketball coach and assistant football coach. His Aggie and Raider basketball teams posted a 105-139 record (.436) in his 11 seasons at the helm.

He became the school's director of athletics in 1962 and served in that capacity for eight seasons. During that time, he started and coached the Fort Lewis College golf team. His 1969 golfers became the first league champions in the school's four-year history by winning the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference title.

In 1970, Whalen was appointed director and later dean of the School of Education, a position he held through 1983. He also served as acting dean of academic affiars for six months in 1979. From 1983 through his retirement in 1988, Whalen served as vice president of academic affairs.

In late 1983, with the announcement of the retirement of President Rexer Berndt, Whalen agreed to serve as acting president of the college. He was called upon again to serve as acting president in 1986, and provided leadership through financially troubled times for the next 18 months.

Whalen retired in 1988 and worked with the Fort Lewis College Foundation and the Admission and Development Office to raise funds for an academic scholarship in his name established by the State Board of Agriculture (FLC's former governing body).

Whalen received Fort Lewis College's Distinguished Service Award. He was inducted into Northern Arizona's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986 along with his fellow teammates on the 1953-54 Lumberjack basketball team.

In 2003, Whalen Gymnasium, formerly known as the Fort Lewis College Fieldhouse, was dedicated to the lifelong supporter.

Whalen died on September 26, 2006. He was 75.