Don Taylor Memorial 800 Meter Run/Walk

Additional Information

THE DON TAYLOR MEMORIAL 800 METER RUN/WALK

The Sixth Annual Don Taylor Memorial 800 Meter Run/Walk, sponsored by the YMCA of the Mohawk Valley will take place during Ilion Days on SATURDAY, JULY 15th STARTING AT 11:00AM AT CENTRAL VALLEY ACADEMY. All former players and friends are welcome, and this event is open to the public.

A waiver form will need to be signed by each participant under 18 years of age between 10:30am-11:00am the day of the event. The 13-14 year boy who completes the run with the best time will receive a small trophy for his accomplishment. In addition, all participants will receive a free Hershey t-shirt and ribbon. The Don Taylor Memorial bench will also be commemorated at this event.

The Don Taylor Memorial 800 Meter Run was established June 2, 2012 in memory of Mr. Don Taylor. The 13-14 Boys 800 Meter Run at the Ilion Local Hershey’s Track and Field Games was named, “THE DON TAYLOR MEMORIAL 800 METER RUN”. When Don ran track for Ilion High School, his main event was the 880 yard run.
Mr. Donald J. Taylor was a lifelong resident of Ilion and a true Ilion Golden Bomber. He passed on May 19, 2012. He was born in Ilion, on February 1, 1930. He was laid to rest next to his parents in the Oak View Cemetery in Frankfort on May 26, 2012. Chris Walsh, a former player of Coach Taylor, set up a Gofundme page on 7/3/16 and 40 individuals donated $3,415 in less than 24 hours to fund a headstone him that was put in place on 9/30/16. Don was a graduate of Ilion High School, Class of 1947. He enlisted in the United States Army on February 9, 1951 and was honorably discharged on October 16, 1956. Coach Taylor began his local legendary coaching career in 1953. For the next 43 years he was the CYO grade 7-8 basketball coach at the Church of Annunciation Catholic School, where he taught hundreds of young men, not only the finer points of playing basketball, but what it took to be a man of integrity. His 1990-91 team was 25-0. The Annunciation School gymnasium was dedicated in his honor as the Don Taylor Gymnasium.
Mr. Taylor was the official timer at the track events at Ilion High School, including the Local and NYS West Hershey’s Track and Field Games and was awarded the Hershey’s Track & Field Outstanding Local Program Award in 2003. Don was also a recipient of the My Hometown Sports and Adirondack Bank 12th Man Award. Mr. Taylor was inducted into the Central Valley School District inaugural Hall of Fame on March 11, 2017.

Previous winners:
6-02-12 Michael Slaughter (14) Ilion 2:24.90 (Hershey)
6-01-13 Lucas Kleban (13) Ilion 3:00.04 (Hershey)
5-31-14 Nicholas Kennedy (13) Ilion 2:56.15 (Hershey)
5-30-15 Brandon Lui (14) Niskayuna 2:30.90 (USATF Future Stars)
7-24-16 Tyler Barr (14) Dolgeville 2:28.8 (Ilion Days)
7-15-17

Questions, contact DaveWilliams.ny@gmail.com