Don Bethune

 

Don Bethune, a lifelong resident of Saginaw, attended North School, St. Andrew's and graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1961. While in school he played football, baseball and softball. Bethune is a Vietnam veteran, serving in the United States Army from 1965-66. He retired after working 30 plus years with General Motor's Corp's Saginaw Steering Gear. In May of 2001, the local sports enthusiast began his lifelong dream of starting a Sports Hall of Fame in Saginaw County. He began by assembling a group of 15 men and women to discuss the idea of honoring county athletes and teams from yesteryear. Under the direction of Bethune, the group began the tedious task of developing a membership list, creating bylaws and criteria for induction, soliciting funds, and creating a logo. The committee carefully selected its first induction class and the inaugural banquet was held October 26, 2002, at Saginaw Valley State University's Curtiss Hall. Over 500 people attended the first banquet to witness 11 individuals and one team inducted into the first Hall of Fame class. Bethune, who served as the organization's president for it's first six years, has seen the Lifetime Voting Membership grow to nearly 750 people during his tenure.