Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1982
- Class:
- 1939
Russel Kennedy Doan Born Sept. 19, 1916 in Woodsfield, OhioโฆGraduated from KSU in 1939 after majoring in Industrial ArtsโฆHolds an M.A. degree in Physical Education in 1957โฆRetired in June 1979, after 40 years in the education field including the last quarter of a century in ElyriaโฆIn 1964, he was presented the Award of Merit by KSU in โrecognition of outstanding achievement, inspiring leadership and dedicated serviceโ in his chosen professionโฆInducted into the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame in 1975โฆAttended Ravenna and Paris (now Southeast) high schools, graduating in 1935โฆParticipated in wrestling, track, baseball, and basketball and were County champs in 1934-35โฆAt KSU earned four varsity letters in wrestling (1936-39), three in baseball (1937-39), and played freshman basketball (1935-36)โฆOn mats, he was Interstate Champion at 128 pounds in 1937, 1938, and 1939, and served as captain his senior yearโฆLost only two matches in four year career and was undefeated as a juniorโฆLettered in baseball three years and was captain as seniorโฆOhio Conferenceโs leading hitter in 1938โฆBegan teaching and coaching at Wadsworth where wrestling team was undefeated for four yearsโฆHis 1942 Wadsworth team won the state wrestling titleโฆServed more than three years in U.S. Navy as an officer and instructed wrestling to pre-fight cadetsโฆCollaborated on Navy wrestling book, Joe Begala was authorโฆMarried to the former Eileen Likens of RavennaโฆParents of a son, Terry, and a daughter, SusanโฆRuss Doan was an extremely highly competitive athleteโฆHis son Terry is football coach at Elyria High and has brought a great deal of recognition to the team and town coming through with championships regularlyโฆRuss was one of Joe Begalaโs favorites.
