Don attended Medford Schools from the first through 12^th grades, lettering in football and track. After graduation in 1951, he attended Oregon State University, as well as the Don Martin School of Radio and Television.

He started his sportscasting career while working in Cresent City, California, after being encouraged to get into radio broadcasting by his long-time friend and mentor, Tom MacLeod. After Cresent City, a stint in Los Angeles, Alaska, and Klamath Falls, Don returned home to before Sports Director for KMED Radio. It was while at KMED that Don developed his unique sportscasting style.