Hall of Fame
Three-time All-American high jumper Don Raleigh dominated the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference and was one of the top track athletes in the country during a four-year career from 1984-87. Raleigh made a total of seven trips to the NAIA national meet (three indoor and four outdoor), finishing as high as second place. His personal-best leap of 7-feet stood for many years as the District IX record.
A consistent winner at most every meet the Rangers attended, Raleigh saved some of his best performances for the big stage. He finished in the top-seven nationally a total of six times. Raleigh cleared the bar at 6’11 at the 1986 NAIA Indoor Championships to claim a second-place finish. As a senior in 1987, Raleigh tacked on two more All-America honors. He reached 6’11 again at indoor nationals for a second-straight runner up finish, then capped his career with a fourth-place showing outdoors.
Northwestern experienced a great run of team success in track and field during the mid-80s, thanks in part to Raleigh’s efforts. He was a four-time Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference champion in the high jump and was named OIC Scholar Athlete of the Year for all sports in 1987. Northwestern finished as conference runner-up in the team race, falling to Northeastern by a single point.
Raleigh also excelled in the classroom at Northwestern as an NAIA Scholar Athlete, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Natural Sciences with a 3.72 GPA. His dedication to academics continues today. Raleigh earned a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State in 2000 and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. After a long career as a teacher and coach, Raleigh has served as Superintendent of the Pryor Public School District since 2008. He was named 2012 OASA District 6 Superintendent of the Year.
Don and his wife, Angela, have two children: Trent (24) and Aubrey (26). He and Angela currently reside in Pryor, Okla. He fondly remembers the Northwestern and Alva communities. “They supported me in every way.”
