by Old Baller » Fri Feb 10, 2012 7:11 pm
I'll throw another athlete's name into the ring from way back in the early '60's - Don Blevins of Fort Yates. He was outstanding in a number of sports but probably was most dominant in track and cross country. He was arguably the best all around high school athlete of the decade. Unfortunately, he died way too young in an automobile accident. Here is an article from a SOUTH DAKOTA newspaper that details his many accomplishments:
A member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Don was an outstanding athlete in football, basketball and track and in 1964 was named the North Dakota High School Male Athlete of the Year when he led the Warriors to the North Dakota State B basketball championship. In high school, Blevins was a member of two cross country state championship teams, they were runner-up the other year; helped two teams to the state track championship and two runner up finishes; helped his basketball team to the state championship in 1964 and third place in 1963 and to an undefeated season in football in 1963 and an overall record on the gridiron of 36 wins and four losses. Individually, Blevins averaged nearly four touchdowns a game when he was a senior, averaged 28.4 points a game in basketball and never lost an 880 yard run in track for three years. He won the state championship in the 880 in ‘62-‘64, the 440 in ’63 and ‘64, his mile relay team won the state title in ‘61-‘64 and the half mile relay in ‘62, and he set an 880 record that stood for 17 years.
Attending Dickinson State Teachers College, Don continued to excel as he lettered in football for three years, two years in basketball and was a three year letterman in track. After graduating from college, Don taught and coached at Solen High School on the Standing Rock Reservation, coaching Solen to their highest finish ever in basketball, losing in the Regionals to the eventual state champion. On the side, Blevins took up bronc riding and eventually enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. While stationed in San Diego, he was killed in an auto accident in 1972.