Involved with the Illinois ASA since 1961, Don Brewer has “touched all the bases” in his softball career. Former commissioner Charles L. McCord appointed him district commissioner for Southern Illinois in 1961 and during the next 40 plus years Don served as regional director, vice president, executive president, at-large player rep and assistant state commissioner before being named Illinois commissioner in 2001. Besides his involvment with the administrative side of softball, Don managed fast pitch and slow pitch teams.His fast pitch teams compiled a record of 1,630 wins and 557 losses for winning percentage of .745 between 1959-1998. As a player, Don compiled a .288 lifetime average between 1959-1984 and batted .300 or higher five times. Twice (1970-71), he was named all-state for the Murdale Martin Oilers. Don’s teams participated in eight 40-and-over nationals, three 45-and-over nationals, two 50-and-over nationals, and one Men’s Major Fast Pitch (1993). In 1997, his team won the first ASA 50-and-over fast pitch national title, which was held in Tulsa, OK.He sponsored teams from 1991-1993 and 1982-83 besides managing and playing. At the state level, his teams won three Illinois Major fast pitch titles, finished runner-up four times and twice in third place. A graduate of Southern Illinois University, Brewer retired two years ago after serving 17 years as regional superintenent of Jackson-Perry County Schools. During his professional education career, Don served as a teacher, coach, principal, assistant principal, dean of students and athletic director. He also was interim parks and recreation director for the city of Carbondale. Brewer’s committment as an educator and administrator hasn’t been overlooked either. In 1995, he was named Southern Illinois University Alumni of the Year. In 1996, he received the Illinois Association of Park District Quarter Centry Award followed by the Southern Illinois University Phi Delta Kappen Outstanding Educator Award and the Southern Illinois University Educational Council of 100 Award of Merit. His softball honors include Illinois ASA Distinguished Service Award (1992), Illinois Meritorious Service Award (1997) and election to the Illinois ASA Hall of Fame (1979). Since being appointed Illinois commissioner in 2001, he and his staff have increased Illinois registrations from three to five thousand as well as holding an Illinois Hall of Fame induction banquet each year.
