Don Hazeman to be inducted into MnIAA Athletic Director’s Hall of Fame

Don Hazeman of Bemidji was recently selected to the Minnesota Interscholastic Athletic Administrator’s Hall of Fame for his work as the athletic administrator at Red Lake High School for 37 years. He will be inducted into that organization on Thursday, March 29 at the Kelly Inn in St. Cloud.

The MnIAAA honors its members and other individuals connected with Minnesota co-curricular programs that have distinguished themselves or have otherwise made significant contributions to Minnesota high school athletics.

Don Graduated from Big Lake HS and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in PE/Health, Business Education, Driver’s Education and Coaching from St. Cloud State University. He later earned his Master’s Degree in Education from Bemidji State University and his Superintendent and Principal’s Licensure from the University of St. Thomas.

Mr. Hazeman began his career in education at Red Lake High School in 1968 and served the Red Lake School District as a teacher, 3 sport coach, principal, assistant principal and still fills those vacancies when needed.

He was a member of the MnIAAA for many years, assisted with the Retired AD’s Association, served as a member of the MSHSL Sportsmanship Committee, was a District Tournament Manager for many years, and was extremely active in conference, district and regional planning and organizational meetings. Don initiated the organization of the first District 29 baseball conference in 1972 and attended two National Athletic Director’s Conferences

Don coached the first Red Lake sports team to ever participate in a state tournament when he coached the baseball team in 1990 and was subsequently named as the Coach of the Year in Baseball that year. He was awarded the Superintendent’s Award for Outstanding Leadership in coaching and sports program development while at Red Lake High School.

Don is an active member with the Beltrami County Planning Commission, is a volunteer instructor for the AARP Defensive Driving Courses, served as a member on the Red Lake Indian Education Advisory Board for 20 year and coached summer baseball for 25 years.

When nominated to the Hall of Fame Don stated “I have been fortunate to have been able to work at a school that rewarded me with so many glorious, rewarding, challenging and exciting opportunities to help mold the lives of so many great students. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to be part of taking a group of RLHS students inside the Rose Garden and personally meeting President Carter and shake his hand and to coaching the school to the first state boy’s baseball tournament in 1990.

I am also proud of being a part of the national attention our boys’ basketball program received as it proved that regardless of how small schools are, or how insignificant one may feel, the opportunity is always there to lead a sports programs to higher and greater levels of achievement.

After 10 years of retirement and 44 years in education, I am still very active in working in education because I still find it as exciting, challenging and rewarding as I did back in 1968 – a love I think I’ll probably always have.”

Other Inductee's include: Jim Lasley, Redwood Valley High School, Wayne Pender, Grand Rapids High School and Brad Johnson, Rushford-Peterson High School.