It might surprise even his closest friends to learn Don Day has a serious side to go with an otherwise perpetually jovial personality.
On most subjects, Day’s conversation is light and aimed at eliciting a smile. But when it comes to his ideas about the responsibility of athletes, it’s not a joking matter.
“Athletes of all ages should understand that it’s a privilege to be an athlete,” Day said. “Being an athlete stands for something beyond ability on the playing field. There’s a responsibility to give something back and to be a role model.”
Day’s serious message might sound out of character, and he understands why.
“I like to laugh and make people laugh,” Day said. “But one of the big joys I’ve had in my life is to work with special-needs kids.”
Day practiced what he preached, first as a football and baseball player at Denver South High School and later at the University of Denver. Following those experiences, he passed along his point of view as the football coach at Thomas Jefferson High School.
No doubt, Day’s appreciation for being on the playing field stems from it not being easy for him to get there. When he first checked out a football uniform as a sophomore at South, he weighed 103 pounds. But when a heckler asked if he was going out for manager, his future teammates learned they weren’t dealing with a 100-pound weakling.
“I told him that I hoped he was going out for quarterback because he’d be sitting and I’d be playing,” Day said.
Day was right. Before graduating in 1949, he quarterbacked the Rebels to city championships in football in 1947 and 1948 and for good measure helped the baseball team to city titles in the same two school years as the team’s second baseman.
Day, although the smallest, was the leader on the football team that included Alabama Glass, Jack Newell, Glenn Leyden and Lamar Meyer.
When Day finished his high school career, he was a student of the game of football. He figured he had at least 1,000 index cards with plays he and coach Miggs Mielenz had gone over. Day also was up to 127 pounds.
But Day had another characteristic.
“My legs were always crooked,” Day said of what could be described as bowlegged. “I was told I had rickets or polio or something as a kid. I don’t know.”
When he got to DU, a trainer kidded him that he would never have knee problems because his knees never touched. After numerous surgeries and one knee replacement, Day would like a second opinion.
Day was in the sights of Hoyt Brawner to play baseball for DU. But football coach Jack Baker intervened and said Day had to play football, too, if he was going to be a Pioneer.
However, shortly after his arrival, the football team changed to a single-wing offense, and Day decided his future was in baseball.
“There wasn’t any place for a little guy like me in the single-wing offense,” Day said.
Day’s coaching chance came when the Denver Prep League added George Washington, TJ and Abraham Lincoln to the five original schools in 1960. He joined the TJ coaching staff as an assistant football coach to Gene Wurtz when the school opened and became the head coach in 1964 when Wurtz moved to administration.
The Spartans flourished under Day’s direction with a 56-5 record, four city titles and two runners-up in six years. They played in three state playoff games at Mile High Stadium against Poudre, Wheat Ridge and Lakewood, losing to Lakewood in the state championship game in 1968.
“I loved football,” Day said. “Basketball was a fun game to practice, and I thought baseball was the most boring. I probably got out of coaching too early. I worried about everything. For me, the fear of losing overshadowed the joy of winning.”
Don Day bio
Born: March 7, 1931 in Fort Collins
High school: Denver South
College: University of Denver
Family: Wife Christine, daughters Debbie and Teri, son Adam (deceased)
Hobbies: Swimming, walking his dog.
Second thought: May have quit coaching too soon.
