Don Souder's distinguished career in education and sports administration made a significant mark on secondary school athletics, culminating in his 2000 induction into the TSSAA Hall of Fame. Souder began his journey in the educational field as a teacher and coach at Alamo High School from 1955 to 1960, where he dedicated himself to football and basketball coaching. His remarkable dedication to sports extended beyond coaching, as evidenced by his service as a TSSAA official for 25 years, from 1950 to 1975. During this time, Souder officiated over 3,000 basketball games across Tennessee and was chosen to officiate at three TSSAA State Basketball Tournaments (1958, 1960, 1962), highlighting his expertise and fairness on the court.

In 1960, Souder expanded his role within the TSSAA by becoming an Assistant Executive Secretary, a position he held until 1966. His commitment to enhancing high school sports during this period was further demonstrated through his involvement with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), where he served on both the Girls’ Basketball and Football Rules Committees for six years each. These contributions significantly influenced the standardization and improvement of high school sports rules nationwide.

Following his tenure at TSSAA, Souder continued his administrative legacy as an Administrative Assistant for the Memphis City School System in 1968. Demonstrating his versatile leadership skills, he became the Executive Director of the Mississippi Private School Association from 1969 to 1993, where he directed activities and officials for 24 years, further solidifying his impact on high school athletics in the southeastern United States.

Souder’s extensive contributions to high school athletics did not go unnoticed, as evidenced by his induction into Hall of Fames in two states: Tennessee in 2000 and Mississippi in 2002. His legacy continues to be honored in Mississippi through the annual "Don Souder Award," which recognizes outstanding high school athletes. Don Souder's exceptional dedication to high school sports across various capacities has left an indelible mark on TSSAA and high school athletics as a whole.

TSSAA Hall of Fame
Class: 2000
Category: Administrator