Hall of Fame
Three weeks after graduation, Don Kopriva joined the UW-Parkside staff as the first Sports Information Director (SID). During his years, the athletic program grew quickly from six men’s sports to 10 men’s sports and six women’s sports. He was heavily involved with the development of UW-Parkside’s role as host for NAIA and NCAA championships in cross country, fencing and wrestling. Don left UW-Parkside in 1982 to become men’s SID at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. From there he became associate director of press operations for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee where he managed the Main Press Center of 2000 staff members that hosted 8,000 journalists. He has been public relations director for the U.S. Cross Country Coaches Association. He has covered or officiated at more than 100 Big Ten Conference championships, 37 Drake Relays and more than 70 NCAA championships. In 2003, he was named as one of the “legends of cross country” in an event sponsored by Purdue University.
