Don Hale

Don Hale was born in Watertown, Wisconsin, son of Wayne and Emmaline Hale. He attended Juneau High School (currently Dodgeland High School) and graduated in 1967.  He attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1971.  After graduation, Don accepted a position as Middle School Band Director in the Winneconne school system.  In 1983, he earned his Master of Arts degree in Oshkosh.  The same year, Don became the Winneconne High School Band Director.

In High School, Don was very active in music and other activities.  He served on the yearbook staff, school newspaper, forensics and as President of the Student Council. Don was also a Badger Boys State Representative.  Don was active in athletics, as well as, participating in wrestling, football, track and baseball.

Don started the Middle School wrestling program at Winneconne in his first year of teaching.  He also coached middle school track for several years. After coaching as the High School Assistant for two years, Don became Winneconne’s Head Wrestling Coach in 1977 until he retired from coaching in 2004. Don also started the Winneconne Youth Wrestling Club.

During his coaching career in Winneconne, his teams recorded 170 dual meet wins.  Don was also blessed to coach 38 Conference Champions and 15 State Qualifiers. Don also coached 3 State Champions including 2004 Wisconsin Wrestler of the Year, Dallas Herbst who went on to become an All-American at the University of Wisconsin.

In 2010, the Winneconne Wrestling Club organized the Winneconne Wrestling Hall of Fame. Don and Dallas were the Inaugural Inductees to the Hall.

In 2003, Don was selected as WWCA District Coach of the Year and the Appleton Post Crescent Newspaper Coach of the Year. In 2004, Don was invited to coach the Minnesota-Wisconsin Exchange.

Don as been very active in the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association.  Don was a District Representative from 1987-1989 and served as Secretary from 1989-1993.  From 1993-1995, Don was President-Elect and served as President from 1995-1997.  In 1997-2000, Don served as Past President.  From 2000-2007, Don returned to serve as Secretary.

Don was active in WWCA Committee work as well.  He served on the initial 7% Committee and served on the WWCA Alumni Chapter Steering Committee.  Don served on the WIAA Wrestling Rules Advisory Committee in 1996-1997 as well as 1999-2002. 

In 2004, Don accepted the position of secretary of the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.  In 2018, Don assumed the position as President of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame-Wisconsin Chapter.  In 2005, Don was inducted into the George Martin Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Don was very active in Winneconne organizations as well.  In 2004, he was selected by the Winneconne Area Education Foundation as “Community Leader of the Year” and a scholarship was started in his name.  To this day, Don continues to award scholarships to Winneconne students majoring in education. 

Don was a band director in the Winneconne Community School District for 35 years.  Being the Head Wrestling Coach and High School Band Director made an unusual combination, but he made it manageable.

Don has also been a professional trumpet player for over 50 years.  He has performed with over bands and has been on more than 20 recording sessions.  Don also performed several times as the ‘Wrestling Sages Band’ at the George Martin Hall of Fame with his cousin Hall of Fame Coach Al Bauman and Hall of Fame member Laurent Soucie.

Don retired from teaching in 2006 and moved to Watertown with his wife, Kris.  His family includes his stepson, Eric, his wife, Bernadette, son, Nolan (4), and daughter (6 months) who live in Springfield, VA.  His stepson, Corey and his wife, Wendy, have a son, Bosten (11), who reside in Lake Balboa, California.  Don enjoys spending time with family and friends and continues to be involved with wrestling, music and golf.