Bio

Multi-talented, certainly describes Don Vesling. A standout in Football, Basketball and Baseball. Don was a man for all seasons.

A three year letterman in Football, he played end until his senior year when he was shifted to quarterback. He led the Middies to a Lakeland Conference Championship and completed 49 per cent of his passes and averaged 5.8 yards per carry on the ground and scored 67 points. He intercepted three passes on defense. An outstanding kicker, he averaged 51 yards on kickoffs and sent 15 into the end zone. He kicked a 40-yard field goal and broke the school record for punting average. He was All-Lakeland Conference, All-District and received All-State honors as a defensive back.

Don was a three-year starter in basketball and was All-Lakeland Conference, All-County and All-District. He was the Middie’s top scorer and rebounder his senior year and made the Plain Dealer Dream Team.

Baseball was perhaps Don’s best sport. A four year letterman, he was an overpowering left handed pitcher who fashioned a 0.25 earned run average, his senior year. When not pitching, he played first base and had a career batting average of .352. Senior year honors included team MVP, All-County, All-State and he played in the State All-Star game. He was named to the Plain Dealer Dream Team.

After graduation, Don took his talents to Eastern Michigan University where he played end on the football team and was its place kicker. He played baseball and was a three-year letterman as a first baseman, pitcher and DH. He was the team’s MVP in 1987.

In 1987, he was the 14th round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers. He made their 40 man roster in 1990, the year of the strike, and played winter ball in Puerto Rico to finish out the season. In 1991 he played for the Toledo Mudhens. He played baseball for two more years and before retiring to other endeavors.

Don is currently a steel broker and lives in Valparaiso, Indiana with his wife, Stacy and their son, Drew.