Don Hegerle, a leader and playmaker for 1950s San Diego State basketball teams and who later coached at Escondido High, passed away on Sept. 9.
Hegerle, 82, was a fast, slashing guard who fearlessly drove to the basket and fired jump shots for one of the best teams in Aztecs history.
He was a vital player on the 1955-56 Aztec team that overcame three straight losses at the start of the season and went on to post a 23-6 record.
Hegerle averaged 10.9 points and scored 315 points, third highest on the team, which was paced by Tony Pinkins (18.1) and Danny Newport (14.7).
The Aztecs earned a berth in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national tournament in Kansas City by defeating Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, 93-69, Pasadena Nazarene, 78-62, and Humboldt State, 91-63.
After enduring a 30-hour trip to the Midwest by rail, the Aztecs’ opening contest following a first-day bye had a 10:30 a.m. tipoff. They defeated Alderson-Broaddus of Philipi, W.Va, 77-64.
San Diego State’s season came to an end in another contest that began the next morning. The Aztecs were eliminated by Gustavus-Adolphus of St. Peter, Minnesota, 69-60.
Hegerle, who played high school football, basketball, and baseball at Point Loma, was head coach at Escondido for five seasons before going into administration.
The 1957-58 team, paced by brothers Toby and Steve Thurlow and Jim Gabbard, posted a 20-11 season  and tied for the Avocado League championship.
Hegerle’s overall record with the Cougars was 73-50.
A lifelong basketball fan, Hegerle’s favorite team became the University of San Diego Toreros.  His son-in-law is Ky Snyder, athletics director at USD.  Snyder’s wife, Sue, was a standout in track and field at San Pasqual and later the women’s volleyball coach at USD.
One night eight or nine years ago I was leaving the Aztec parking garage when a man came alongside and asked if I could tell him where Cox Arena was. I said I was going there so, “Walk with me.” He said he’d played basketball for the Aztecs quite awhile ago but hadn’t been to the new arena yet. I asked his name and he said, “Don Hegerle.” I said, “Oh sure, I remember you,” and we had a pleasant conversation crossing 55th Street and approaching Cox.
Great story, Roger. I think you had fun traipsing up 395 to cover Escondido High games as the “County” prep writer for the Evening Tribune back in the day. I remember a game in the Cougars’ old gym, which had a stage at one end. It was ’58-59, Escondido’s first year in the Metropolitan League after elevating from the Avocado League. Hegerle had a good club but Sweetwater pulled out a victory by three or four points.
I played against Don in the Escondido City League in 1970 and he could still hit that deadly jump shot from 20 feet. Rest in Peace Don
Boydd Galland —- San Dieguito and Palomar College
Nicely put.