The following was printed on Don Kleinow's HOF
plaque:
Don Kleinow was the head women’s cross country coach at
Siena Heights University for 27 years. During his tenure,
Kleinow has led the Saints to seven Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic
Conference championships and three appearances at the NAIA Cross
Country National Championships. His efforts were also felt on
the track as he helped coach the track team for the same length of
time.
Kleinow has also coached seven NAIA Cross Country All-Americans
and twenty-two of his athletes have earned Daktronics-NAIA
Scholar-Athlete honors. Kleinow’s 2006 squad
established a school record with a 10th-place finish at
the NAIA Cross Country National Championships in Louisville,
Ky. The following year the 1997 team—that placed
11th at the NAIA National Championships—was
inducted into the Siena Heights University Athletic Hall of
Fame. Three former Siena Heights’ runners, who were
coached by Kleinow, have been inducted into the Siena Heights
Athletic Hall of Fame.
Kleinow twice earned All-Conference honors as a track and field
and cross country runner at Western Michigan University. He
captained the Broncos’ 1973 cross country team and was a
two-time qualifier at the NCAA National Track & Field
Championships as a distance runner.
A master craftsman by trade, Coach Kleinow’s talents and
love for Siena Heights University and his teams are on display
throughout the Fieldhouse. Don designed and built the trophy
cases and SHU Athletic Hall of Fame displays; as well as the Siena
Heights track & field and cross country record
displays.
Kleinow’s impacted on Siena Heights was also felt as his
children Jon and Janna both ran and graduated from Siena Heights
University.
A proud veteran of the United States Armed Forces, Coach
Kleinow’s induction into the Siena Heights University
Athletic Hall of Fame was approved by a unanimous vote of the
selection committee on Veterans’ Day (November 11,
2010). Kleinow was made aware of this honor prior to his
passing.
