LOWELL | Don Bales wears many caps as Lowell High School athletic director, and has been the recipient of almost as many awards from state and national organizations. The latest is the 2008 NASPE Athletic Directors Presidential Hall of Fame Award.

The National Association for Sport & Physical Education award joins a long list of honors and awards that have marked Bales' career. Its purpose is to honor those whose contributions have enhanced the professional status of secondary school athletic directors and state athletic directors associations.

Bales is appreciative of all the plaques and trophies he has collected, but said his real rewards come from the kids he serves.

"I think, honestly, if I were to show you my biggest reward it would be the letters from kids who, in two or three sentences, tell me of my impact on their lives," Bales said. "That's the driving force."

In fact, Bales said that he draws comfort from the letters. "When things get really tough, Beth (his wife) tells me, 'Go downstairs and open your book (filled with student athlete letters),'" he said with a smile.

During his 27 years as LHS athletic director, following a stint as a coach, Bales has been an innovator, establishing programs and processes that have stood the test of time. They include the Scholar-Athlete Program, the Senior Athletic Scholars Honors Program and the LHS Heritage Program, among many. He has also been a leader at the national conference level, serving on myriad boards and commissions related to student athletics.

As a strong proponent of sportsmanship, Bales chaired conference committees on that topic, directed a student leadership/sportsmanship workshop, designed and wrote, "What all Parents, Student-Athletes and Coaches Should Know," and its related publication, a "Sportsmanship Guide for Athletes, Parents, Cheer Coaches, and Coaching Staff."

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Don Bales, an Indiana Central College (University of Indianapolis) and Indiana University Northwest graduate, has served as athletic director at Lowell High School since 1981.

In 1989, he was the recipient of the State Award of Merit. Five years later, he was named District I-IIAAA Athletic Director of the Year. In 1997, he received the NIAAA State Award of Merit, and in 1999 was the recipient of the National Federation Citation Award for Indiana.

In 2003, Bales was named the Indiana Athletic Director of the Year after earning that honor at the District I - IIAAA level.

At the national level, Bales was named the National Athletic Director of the Year in 2004. He served three years, from 2004 through 2006, on the National Council of Secondary School Athletic Directors, including chairperson in 2006.

Bales has also been an active, volunteer coach in youth baseball, basketball and soccer programs. He is equally active as a member of the United Methodist Church of Lowell and a guest speaker for numerous, community organizations. He and his wife, Beth Bales, have two sons, Brian and Justin.

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The National Association for Sport & Physical Education is based in Reston, Virginia. To learn more about the organization which is an association of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, visit online at www.aahperd.org/naspe/