2000 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI INDUCTEES

Donald P. Cohen

Donald Paul Cohen, '49
Optometrist

Following graduation from BHS, Dr. Cohen graduated in 1953 from OSU with a B.Sc. degree and received an O.D. degree in 1959 from Illinois College of Optometry. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corp. from 1953-55.

After reading a number of reports prepared by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports that painted a bleak picture of the physical fitness in the nine to fourteen-year-old age group in America, Dr. Cohen presented a proposal to the seven major organizations of track and field and, in 1975, he founded the Hershey North American Youth Program. The inaugural program was conducted on 36 playgrounds in Charleston WV. As a result of its success, a statewide program was held in 1976.

A lack of funds to sponsor the meet resulted in Dr. Cohen approaching the Hershey Foods Corporation because of its tradition of helping young people. Hershey Foods funded a 10-state regional program on a trial basis in 1977 and, because of its success, the first national program was conducted in 1978.

The Hershey Track and Field Youth Program has grown from a playground meet in Charleston WV in 1975 to the largest youth sports program of its kind in the U.S. After more than 20 years of existence, the mission statement is still the same: To provide a quality recreation and school program where children have fun and are introduced to physical fitness through basic track and field events, such as running, jumping and throwing.

Dr. Cohen also founded and is Past President of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. He traveled extensively with the legendary Jesse Owens and was an honorary pallbearer at his funeral.

Dr. Cohen received a research award for studies involving parameters of contact lenses; received a Commendation Award from the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports in 1987; was honored as Distinguished Kanawha Countian (WV) at its bicentennial celebration in 1988, and received the National Humanitarian Award from the National Recreation and Parks Association in 1993.

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