Players

Don Mathews

Year Inducted: 1993

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations:

(Peoria) Spalding Institute 

Biography:

Don Mathews was a standout athlete at Peoria’s Spalding Institute from 1946-50.  In his senior year, Don was named to the first team All Greater Peoria Conference and was the league’s leading scorer.  He was 2nd team all state in 1950.  Don led the Irish to the IHSA Sweet 16 and a 23-5 record.  He scored 965 points in his high school career.  

Don attended Bradley University and was a member of the Braves’ basketball team for 4 seasons from 1950-54.  He was a member of the Braves’ team that finished 2nd in the NCAA tournament in 1954. 

He coached at (Peoria) Woodruff, (Peoria) Bergan, (Spring Valley) Hall and Brimfield High Schools after graduation.  In 1979 Don and the squad from Brimfield went 29-3 and reached the IHSA Class A Elite Eight.

Don Mathews died on October 23, 2011 at the age of 78.