Don Gray

Inducted 2018

Don Gray - Coach Don Gray has given  a total of 40 years to public education: 30 in Owosso Public Schools and a combined 10 years between New Troy Public Schools and Hillsdale Public Schools.  As a varsity basketball coach in all three districts, he won three district championships. The most recent, was in 1971 for the Trojans. As a varsity football coach for 4 years in Owosso, he won back to back Big Nine Championships in 1966 and 1967.  Coach Gray also served our community as the Athletic Director from 1976 until his retirement in 1992. During his tenure, Owosso received the Big 9 Sportsmanship Award for five consecutive years.

A 1948 graduate of Buchanan High School, Don was a three-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and baseball.  In his senior season in 1947, Don was selected as an all-conference Quarterback for the Bucks. Following his prep career, Don attended Western Michigan University, graduating in 1952 prior to beginning his long and distinguished career in education.

While serving as the OHS Athletic Director, Don received the prestigious Allen W. Bush Award from the MHSAA in 1994.  The Bush Award is bestowed annually to an administrator, coach, official, trainer, doctor, or member of the media who has at least 15 years of experience in Michigan interscholastic athletics with unusually frequent and significant contributions to the MHSAA. Allen W. Bush was Assistant Director of the MHSAA from 1960 to 1963, Associate Director from 1963 to 1968 and Executive Director from 1968 to 1978.

Coach Gray has many great memories as a mentor to countless student/athletes here in Owosso. His blood truly does run "blue & gold." He is a University of Michigan fan, however, his allegiance will never waver as an Owosso Trojan!