VERMILLION, S.D. - He was on campus for just a short time but Donald Baker made a big impression at The University of South Dakota. All his life, Baker, a native of Scotland, S.D., had an unwavering passion and desire for coaching. His unfortunate death in 1974 left a big hole in the South Dakota athletic community.

Now nearly 30 years later, The University of South Dakota is in the process of dedicating a cross country course in his name. To be named the Don Baker Memorial Cross Country Course, it is located at the former municipal golf course property directly across Highway 50 bypass from the DakotaDome.

According to organizers, the course will be turned into a championship caliber cross country course. With an eye on a dedication at Vermillion in 2004, several former USD and USD-Springfield athletes are in the process of raising funds. Donations may be sent to the USD Cross Country Fund, c/o Dave Gottsleben, USD Track Office, DakotaDome, Vermillion, S.D.

Why Don Baker? He was a person that helped mold the athletic careers of numerous high school and college athletes. He epitomized the best in coaching.

Former USD baseball coach Scott Fiedler, now of Sioux Falls, S.D., recalls the impact Baker had on him. "He just wanted all of us to be our best. No one ever left the impression on me that Don Baker did, even though I never had him for a coach. Coaches like Donnie are what made guys like me want to coach. He was absolutely the best," said Fiedler, originally of Scotland, S.D.

Then there is Tim Young, a former USD track and field standout now living in Baltimore, Md. "He took average athletes and through hard work and great coaching was able to motivate them to reach down deep for that extra effort," said Young, originally of Mitchell, S.D.

Baker served one year as the top assistant coach for head basketball coach Jack Doyle in 1973-74. He also assisted Lennon with the track program during 1973-74. Baker received his B.S. degree at Springfield in 1955 and his M.A. degree at USD in 1958. He coached at Yankton High before joining the USD-Springfield staff in 1965. Baker had a very successful program at Springfield, including winning a South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference track championship, a cross country title and building the basketball programs into a contender for the league title. He was named the South Dakota College Coach of the Year in 1971 by the South Dakota Sportswriter's Association.

"I observed Donnie all over the place when we had high school meets (like our Region Track meet) and XC meets," said former Coyote All-American runner Charles Cvrk. "He was everywhere - encouraging, cajoling, motivating, recruiting, administering...all in that rapid fire, confident and cheerful delivery that his athletes and those who knew him remember so well. During cross country races, it was the same, he was putting in nearly as many miles as the runners themselves," added Cvrk, originally of Scotland, S.D., and now an operations officer of Aviation Operations/Deputy Asst. Administrator for Aviation Ops for the Transportation Security Administration in Arlington, Va.

Young recalled a time when he just finished the 880-yard run at the NCC indoor championships. Young was disappointed in his performance but not Baker. He was there encouraging Young and telling him that he did well and would get better in time. "Son, that is the fastest 880, I have ever coached this early in the season. If you trust me and let me mold you, you will be at the very least a conference champion," said Young.

According to Young, his story could be replaced by dozens and dozens of others in which Baker made a difference in the life of a student-athlete. "He made you feel important," said Young. "He had a talent for coaching and motivating.

After graduating from college, he took a position at Yankton High, according to longtime South Dakota sportswriter Hod Nielsen. He joined veterans Gene "Beansie" Anderson, and Jack Richardson and was a contemporary of Don Allan who had great success at Spearfish. He was joined at Yankton by Rich Greeno, the legendary track and field mentor. "That meeting was the first in a lifetime of deep and sincere friendship and unsurpassed professional partnership," said Nielsen. "Each had the same ambition - and each had a positive impact on the YHS programs. Their influence is still felt."

Nielsen recalls Baker's deep commitment in his volunteerism. One example was when Baker and Greeno took over the Yankton Teener baseball program (boys aged 14-16) . "It became the top boys summer program in the state," said Nielsen. "In 1960, they coached the Yankton team to a spot in the national Teener tourney in Hershey, Pa. That experience enhanced their popularity which spilled over from the players to the parents and grandparents and brought a never-to-be-forgotten sense of pride to the 'Mother City.'"

In addition, Baker was a volunteer and official starter for Special Olympics in South Dakota. In recognition, the Special Olympics organization created an award in his honor. The Don Baker Award, the highest honor presented by the Special Olympics South Dakota, is presented annually to an individual, organization, business or agency that has given outstanding support to Special Olympics.

So as these former athletes raise funds, they do so in honor of a man that had an unwavering passion for coaching. "When I think of Don Baker, I think of the outstanding athletes he helped mold and the never-say-die coaching," Nielsen said.

And, as Nielsen also noted, Baker emulated Vince Lombardi's five points to success, including having a singleness of purpose, unselfishness and a capacity to give, be tough, smart and never quit.

As this group of former athletes reach out, they do it with the intention of striving to the excellence that Baker inspired in athletes and young people all his life.