Don Binnie

GRAFTON One week from Saturday, the Midview Athletic Hall of Fame will induct its class of 2013.

Its an annual event that brings out proud Midview High School alumni, but this year the graduate known by many as Mr. Midview will not be in attendance.

Don Binnie, 75, of Grafton, the man behind the moniker, died Saturday at EMH Elyria Medical Center after a brief illness. His absence will undoubtedly be felt in the room, but those who knew him best said he would not want to steal the spotlight from the deserving alumni.

Don will surely be missed. He touched so many lives, and I cant think of a person who will be in the room that does not know him, said friend and neighbor Dick Bickel, also a hall of fame member.

Bickel said Binnie will be honored in the event program with a list of his many accomplishments.

His affinity for all things Midview began as part of the first graduating class in 1956. While at Midview, he participated in athletics, band, choir and theatre. He was a charter member and officer of the Athletic Booster Club.

In 1980, he helped organize the Midview Athletic Hall of Fame and was its president for seven years.

It was actually his idea from the ground up, said Tim Alcorn, a 1981 graduate and MAHOF board member. He really wanted it to happen. He was a Midview guy through and through. He knew Lorain and Elyria had halls of fame and there were so many great athletes that also came out of Midview.

Binnie was not just interested in the athletic endeavors of students, he served several terms on the Midview school board.

Read more:
Community mourns esteemed ‘Mr. Midview’