Cal State East Bay University Athletics

Don Sawyer's athletic career reads like a true Pioneer. A member of the 1966 and 1967 Cal State Hayward Football teams led by Hall of Fame Head Coach Les Davis, Sawyer had the opportunity to participate in a number of pioneering firsts, including the first Far Western Conference (FWC) football game win, Humboldt 33-14 in 1967, and the first winning football season 7-3-1 in 1967, and being one of the first Pioneers to be selected for all FWC  recognition in 1967. A dominant player and leader in his position, Sawyer was elected by his peers as the Most Valuable Linemen for both 1966 and 1967 seasons, and served as team captain for the 1967 season. Sawyer went on to sign as a free agent with the Oakland Raiders in 1968, becoming the first Pioneer to sign a professional sports contract.

In 1970 Sawyer returned to the Pioneers and served as assistant football coach until 1993 and track and field coach until 1980. Sawyer helped coach multiple Pioneer Athletic Hall of Fame members including football player Monty Consani and track athletes Greg Blankenship and his own brother Mark Sawyer – both national hammer Champions. In addition, he coached 16 All Americans including 4 national champion track athletes during his coaching career. Sawyer, who received his bachelors degree in physical education at then-Cal State Hayward), went on to receive his masters degree from San Francisco State, and his doctorate in education from the University of San Francisco. Following his coaching, Professor Sawyer taught in the department of Kinesiology and Physical Education where he was department chair in 2005 and also served as the chair of the Academic Senate from 2004-2006. Since 2006 Sawyer has served as Chief of Staff to the President at Cal State East Bay, working with former President Mohammad Qayoumi and current President Leroy M. Morishita.