Don Lovell devoted 34 years of his life to coaching young golfers at Oxford High School.
In recognition of this significant achievement, Lovell, who passed away in May 2005 at age 62, is being inducted into the Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association (MIGCA) Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2006.
‘I wish he could have been here to see this,? said wife Nancy Lovell. ‘It would have meant a lot to him.?
To Nancy, the state level recognition ‘verifies my pride? in her husband, who ‘didn’t take his coaching lightly,? but was serious about the game and dedicated to the student athletes who played it.
Lovell’s coaching career was a long and distinguished one. Over the years, Lovell’s strong and intelligent leadership on the course led the boys varsity golf team to four league championships (1976, 1982, 2001, 2002) and one regional championship in 1998.
In 1996, he was honored by the MIGCA as ‘Regional Coach of the Year.?
Described by friends and colleagues alike as a ‘reserved? person and a ‘thinking man,? Lovell enjoyed the challenge of golf and passing his knowledge and love of the sport on to the next generation.
In addition to coaching, Lovell taught social studies, history, law and government in the Oxford school district from 1964 to 2002.
Lovell served his community as a member of the Oxford Public Library Board of Trustees from December 1976 until his passing. Over the years, he served as president, vice president and treasurer of the board.
Nancy said she, along with her children and grandchildren, will travel to the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids for her late husband’s formal induction into the Hall of Fame Friday, Feb. 10.
Closer to home, Lovell will be honored Sunday, Dec. 18 by the Oxford Public Library which is dedicating its newly renovated and expanded Teen and Adult Technology areas to Lovell’s memory.
Library Director Judy Doublestein said it was an ‘obvious choice to remember (Lovell) in this way? given his lifelong involvement educating teens at the high school and his 29 years of service to the library. The memorial dedication will take place as part of the Oxford Public Library’s 80th anniversary open house.