The Donald B. Canham papers, 1968-1988, comprise five linear feet of material documenting Canham's tenure as athletic director at the University of Michigan. The papers include extensive departmental correspondence with coaches and administrative staff members, several television contract files, Big Ten Conference administrative minutes, and a variety of materials from several national athletic organizations. Of particular note in the Personal series are several interviews, newspaper feature articles, and speeches that focus upon Canham's philosophy, goals, and accomplishments as an athletic director.
Donald B. Canham was track coach, 1948-1968, and Director of Athletics1968-1988, at the University of Michigan. He competed in track for Michigan 1937-1941, winning the NCAA high jump championship in 1941.
On July 1, 1968, Donald B. Canham was appointed to succeed Herbert O. Crisler as the fifth athletic director in University of Michigan history. A native of Oak Park,Illinois, Canham was born on April 27, 1918. He attended the University of Michigan from 1937 until 1941 during which time he won Big Ten and National Collegiate Athletic Association championships in the high jump. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in physical education, history, and science.
Upon discharge from military service in 1946, Canham returned to the University of Michigan as an assistant track and field coach. In 1948 he was promoted to head coach in that sport. During his 19 year tenure leading the track and field team, he won 12 conference championships and compiled a winning record of .800 in all regular season contests.
In 1954, while still coaching, Canham started an independent distributing company marketing instructional films and recreational and athletic equipment. School-Tech, Inc., has since expanded into a multi-million dollar operation. His experience in developing and promoting a line of products in addition to his successful coaching background were factors that contributed to Canham's later successes as athletic director.
From 1968 until his retirement from university service in 1988, Don Canham directed the athletic program at the University of Michigan with one eye on the financial bottom line. He became a leading practitioner and advocate for aggressive marketing of the college athletic experience. In addition, he insisted on programs noted as much for their scandal-free reputations as for their winning records. His coaches won nearly 70 conference championships without a single warning or penalty from the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
During the 1980s, Canham's athletic program regularly ranked among the largest and most self-sufficient in the nation. In the latter ten years of his directorship, Canham established a collegiate record by selling more than 100,000 tickets for every home football game on Michigan's schedule. Augmenting this income with regular football bowl appearances, astute television contracts,and rigorous cost containment measures, his budgets were frequently large enough to support all of his intercollegiate athletic teams and many recreational programs as well.
Canham was very active in the Big Ten conference athletic administration, was a leading member of several national athletic associations, and was a recognized member of the international track and field coaching fraternity.
Shortly after Canham's retirement, the Donald B. Canham Natatorium on the University of Michigan campus was completed and was dedicated in his honor.
