Coach, historian, and alumni legend Don “Red” Edwards loved Big Walnut and its students better than anyone. He was the keeper of its history and all the souls who achieved greatness on the track and cross country fields.

Red dedicated his life to keeping the stories of Big Walnut alive and mentoring young athletes in track and cross county for 65 years. After his passing on Sept. 28, the 85 year-old will have his own story celebrated by his community in a celebration of life held in his honor at the BIg Walnut Middle School Track and Field Stadium, on Saturday Oct. 21 at 10 am.

Graduating from BWHS in 1956, he was a custodian at the high school for 26 years until he retired in 2002. He began coaching Eagle track quickly after his high school graduation and remained a coach for the rest of his life. Red loved the track and field programs so much that in 1989 he opened the Big Walnut Athletic Museum and continued to fill it with BW artifacts ever since.

Those who coached with Red and knew him well, shared their praise and admiration for this man, myth, and legend, and each spoke of Red's passionate service to others.

Track Coach Joe Evener shared that Red was a legend who had a deep passion for coaching.

“Traveling with Red to meets or the Coaches Conference was like walking with a rockstar. Everyone knew him and everyone wanted to talk to him,” Evener said.

Coach Kevin Lewis, who met Red in 1978 and traveled to meets with him for almost half a century, said, “Red had three great loves in his life: Track and Cross Country, Big Walnut High School, and the young people that he got to work with.”

Big Walnut scrapbooks, taking me through them page by page. As he spoke about the athletes and community inside, he was speaking about his family.”

Coach Joe Weaver also shared his gratitude to Red in a letter.

“Because of you sir, I wear Big Walnut colors and the name more than I do not. You set the standard of pride in the colors of Big Walnut and all those who wore them before and wear them now as well as in the future. Not many can honestly say that they constructed the legacy of a town and city and a school. You sir did just that,” Coach Weaver said.

Red’s greatness was not overlooked. He received the Ed Barker Award in 2012 and the OHSAA honored him with a Dedication of Service Award for working the State Cross Country Championships for 48 years. His colleagues at the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches also honored him with a Dedication of Service award. Inducted into the Big Walnut Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002, Red also has an annual relay, in its 46th season, named after him: the Red Edwards Golden Eagle Relays.

Fittingly, Red is the color of passion. Many would say Red Edwards certainly lived up to his name. Thanks to this passion, the legacy of Big Walnut and its Athletics burns bright. Those that knew him best will no doubt work to keep this flame burning red.

“My greatest wish is that you will find something to be as passionate about as Red is about this sport and his athletes,” Coach Lewis shared.