RIP - Soaring Eagle, Don Wetzel Sr

[MissoulaMarinerFan]

Sad news for hoops fans around the region and state of Montana. Condolences to the Wetzel family.

Per MTN Sports:

HELENA — Legendary Montana sports figure Don Wetzel Sr., known affectionately as “Soaring Eagle”, has died Tuesday in Helena. He was 74.

Wetzel, a member of Blackfeet Nation, was the first Montana Native American to graduate from an NCAA Division I school while playing four years of basketball. He also co-founded the Montana Indian Athletic Hall of Fame.

Wetzel was born Aug. 1, 1948, on the Blackfeet Reservation.

He was a multi-sport athlete at Cut Bank High School, participating in baseball, football and track and field, where he won the 1966 high jump and low hurdles state championships. But it was basketball that stole his heart. He tells the tale of building a basket in shop class, with the rim barely able to comfortably fit a softball. Wetzel perfected his shooting with that rubber ball and small hoop in an old grainery and it paid off.

Full Article:
https://www.montanasports.com/high-school-sports/boys-basketball/montana-native-american-hoops-legend-don-wetzel-sr-dies-at-74

 

[maroonandsilver]

A Legend! It was nice to see him introduced at center court at the N-7 game.

 

[mthoopsfan]

I loved Don. He was so interesting to talk to and knew all the history and stats of MT high school basketball. He knew way more history of MT hoops than any 5 people I have met.

“Hey thanks Jack. All his boys were around him. That hasn't happened in a long time and it's all he ever wanted. He's in a good place now.” From Don Jr.

 

[maroonandsilver]

A story told to me by my friend Bill Schwanke: When Don was on the Griz frosh team they played at Gonzaga against the Zag frosh. The Gonzaga fans taunted him with war hoops every time he touched the ball. Late in the game, Don fouled out. He then went to center court and pressed his hand, with middle finger raised, close to his chest, and bowed to all four corners of the court.