Cal Poly Mourns Passing of Athletics Hall of Famer Don Adams
7/21/2026 11:03:00 AM | Football
Donald Ray Adams
July 17, 1935 - June 25, 2026
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Donald Ray Adams, most widely recognized for his boxing abilities and achievements but also a letter winner in football and wrestling at Cal Poly, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026, just shy of his 91st birthday.
A man of strength, loyalty, and dedication to his family and community, Adams was a longtime resident of Hughson, Calif. He lived a life defined by resilience, legendary athletic achievement, and a deep dedication shaping young lives as a beloved teacher and coach. He used his master's degree in physical education to do what he loved most: mentoring youth and helping them reach their full potential.
Adams, a survivor of the October 29, 1960, football team's plane crash in Toledo, Ohio, was inducted into the Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990 and 2006. He passed away peacefully less than a month shy of his 91st birthday.
With Adams' passing, just six survivors of the crash, which claimed the lives of 16 football players, the student manager, a team booster and four others, including both pilots, remain alive. They are players Fred Brown, Bill Dauphin, Brent Jobe, Gil Stork and Ted Tollner along with assistant coach Walt Williamson.
Growing up in severe poverty and facing significant hardships, Don worked nights through high school and at times had two or three jobs to support himself. A graduate of Modesto High School, Don was recruited by Cal Poly to play football out of Modesto Junior College.
Adams enrolled at Cal Poly in 1956, took a leave of absence to serve in the armed forces, and graduated in 1963 in physical education. He also earned a master's degree in education in 1966.
Adams lettered three years in football and competed as a wrestler, but excelled in boxing. Many feel he was the best boxer to ever compete for Cal Poly.
Adams earned multiple All-American honors and, in 1958 and 1959, was regarded as one of the finest boxers to ever compete for the Mustangs. He was named most outstanding boxer in the Cal Poly tournament and, as a sophomore, Adams finished fourth in the NCAA Championships.
Adams was a halfback, guard and linebacker for the Mustang football team from 1956-58 and returned for the 1960 season. He suffered severe neck, head and brain injuries from the devastating nightmare plane crash, but his character shined as he heroically pulled several of his teammates and survivors to safety.
While in the service for the U.S. Army for two years just before his senior year at Cal Poly, Adams was stationed in Connecticut. His athletic prowess shined as an East Coast Boxing Champion for the military 1958-1959 and he competed in the 1960 U.S. Olympic Trials, losing only to the eventual champion in his weight class who went on to represent the United States in the Olympic Games.
Following his graduation from Cal Poly, Adams embarked on a career as a football and wrestling coach in the San Joaquin Valley at Hughson High School (1963-1964) then Modesto High School (1964-1981).
In addition to twice being inducted into the Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame -- in 1990 as an individual and again in 2006 with the 1960 football team -- Don was inducted into the Modesto High School Hall of Fame in 2019. He was an area boxing champion while attending Modesto High 1951-54 and also was honored for returning to the school as a teacher and championship coach for football and wrestling and his lifelong contributions to athletics and the Modesto community.
Adams is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Shirlee, his three children (Shelley Callahan, Laurel Adams-Allison and Donald "Kent" Adams), eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Having great pride in his family, Don also leaves behind a legacy of strength, grit and generosity that will continue to inspire all who knew him.
