Lamar University Athletics

Don Delaune performed on the great Lamar University one-mile relay team that was ranked No. 2 in the world in 1968. As the leadoff man, Delaune normally staked the Cardinals to an early lead.

He led off in a 3:11.6 victory in the Abilene Christian College quadrangular and helped the Cardinals to a 3:10.1 triumph over the Houston Track Club and also was lead man on the victorious sprint medley relay team in that meet.

Delaune’s best efforts came in the big meets, The Texas Relays and the Drake Relays. At the Texas Relays, Lamar posted a 3:08.0 clocking, but finished third behind Texas and Rice. However, the Cardinals bounced back at the Drake Relays to lose to Texas in a nip-and-tuck duel as Lamar’s 3:07.3 effort was second in the world only to the Longhorns’ winning time.

In the only Southland Conference freshman championship, Delaune piled up points in the mile relay and the 220- and 440-yard dashes to help Lamar win the championship. Delaune, four teammates and coach Ty Terrell died in a plane crash April 28, 1968, at the Beaumont Municipal Airport.