Coach, Basketball
Covenant High School (Unalakleet)
As boy’s basketball coach of tiny Covenant in Unalakleet, Don Erickson nearly orchestrated one of the greatest upsets in Alaska high school hoops history. It didn’t happen as No. 1 Dimond escaped with a 52-50 victory after scoring the game-winning basket with six seconds to play. But the David vs. Goliath playoff game defined the anything-can-happen of March Madness Alaska. Erickson coached at Covenant from 1965 to 1974 and posted a remarkable 87-15 record with two Class B titles over a four-year span [1970-73]. Off the court, Erickson was an active member of the community serving as a pastor, foster parent and an official. As dorm parents, Don and Kathy opened their front door to children in need of a home. Erickson was also a recipient of the state’s Outstanding Young Educator award. Don passed away in 1986 at the young age of 49 and left a legacy of love for young people behind.