Inductee Details

Donald Wendt

Graduation Year: 1973
Induction Class of 2017
Sports: Football, Track & Field
Donald Wendt
Education:  Ottawa University – BA in Business Administration

OU Athletic Participation:  Football (1969-1973); Track and Field (1969-1973)
 
Donald was a two-sport athlete during his time at Ottawa University. As a member of the football team, he was a four-year letter winner earning First Team All-HAAC in 1972. He played on the 1972 team that participated in the Mineral Bowl and won the HAAC championship. He also played on the 1970 KCAC Championship team. He was a championship thrower for the track and field team, breaking the KCAC and OU shot put record with a throw of 51-07 in 1970, which also earned him a KCAC title; that record stood until 2011. He took second in the KCAC shot put championships in 1971, fourth in the 1972 HAAC indoor championships, third in the 1972 HAAC indoor championships, second in the 1973 HAAC indoor championships and third in the outdoor championships that same year. He was a four-year letterman in track and field.

Family Members:
Significant other: Barb Quadlander
Sons: Eric and Travis
Stepson: Jeff Laing

Current/Past Business, Profession or Occupation:
Donald has owned and operated Countryside Lawn and Tree Care, Inc., in Wichita, Ks., for the past 29 years and has been in the lawn care business for more than 41 years.

Current/Past Community Involvement:
Donald help start the Bel Aire Tree Board, which has planted more than 250 trees in the parks of the City of Bel Aire, Ks. He founded the Professional Lawn Care Association of Mid-America for Kansas and Missouri, with the goal of improving the professionalism of the lawn care industry. He has also set up recertification with the extension service in Wichita, Ks., for continuing education units.