From Washington University Athletics
Don Polkinghorne, a charter member of the Washington University in St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame and a member of WashU's 1990 all-Centennial Football team, passed away on Jan. 17 at the age of 81.
A star running back on Coach Carl Snavely's famed WashU football team, Polkinghorne owned the school's career rushing record (2,289 yards) for 30 years and still ranks fourth on the all-time time list. He holds the school record for touchdowns scored in a season (15), touchdowns scored in a game (6) and points scored in a game (36).
Polkinghorne was named to the 1957 Little All-America First-Team and shattered WashU's single-game rushing record with a 367-yard performance against Washington & Lee in 1957. That mark still stands as the 14th most in NCAA Division II history, and was an NCAA record for one season. His 17.5 yards per carry average stood as the NCAA Division II and WashU record for highest yards per carry average in a game.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the American Diabetes Association.
A website was also created in Don's memory: https://www.forevermissed.com/donaldpolkinghorne/#about.