University of South Dakota Athletics

History

This endowment fund was established in honor of E. Don and Betty McCullough by friends and former athletes.

E. Don McCullough was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1915. There were no high school swim programs, so he swam with the Columbus Athletic Club. He competed for Ohio State from 1935-1940. He best college swim was fourth place in the breaststroke at the Nationals Competition. Following graduation, he joined the Coast Guard and was engaged in convoy duty. During this time, he married Betty.

After the war, Don taught high school physical education and coached for seven years in Columbus. In 1951, he did circus work and promotion for Cole Bros. Circus. In 1954, he worked for Bailey Bros. Circus in an organizational role.

After leaving circus work, he taught physical education and coached at Emporia State Teachers College, Kansas and chaired the Physical Education Department. In 1958, the State Department sent him to Iran for two years as National Sports Advisor to the Shah.

Don and Betty returned to Emporia in 1961 until 1966. In 1966, he moved to Vermillion, S.D., as a university professor and chair of the Physical Education Department. He began the Swimming and Diving program during his time at USD along with the Vermillion Swim Club. In the 1970s, Don started Masters swimming and is frequently ranked as an All-American. In 1996, Don was inducted into the Henry Heider Coyote Hall of Fame at USD for his many contributions to the Athletics program. He swam the hour swim in 2001 and set a National relay record with his 85 and older teammates.

Fund Notes

Started in 2004, earnings generated are used to provide scholarships to members of the swimming and diving team at USD. Preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need.