DONALD Y. YONKER, 86, FORMER COACH AT DREXEL: Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice
Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) - August 28, 1998
Deceased Name: DONALD Y. YONKER, 86, FORMER COACH AT DREXEL
Donald Y. Yonker, 86, former soccer coach at Drexel University who led the school to the national collegiate championship 40 years ago, died of cerebral hemorrhage Tuesday at Abington Memorial Hospital. He lived in Elkins Park. Mr. Yonker was Drexel's first men's soccer coach when he was appointed in 1947. When he ended his coaching career 30 years later, he had compiled a record of 184-119-34. He also coached 14 All-America players. In 1958, Drexel swept to a 12-0-0 record, outscored its opponents 76-15 and was voted national collegiate champion by fellow coaches. The team boasted three All-Americas - Ozzie Jethon, Stanley Dlugosz and Robert Muschek. Mr. Yonker was inducted into the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame in 1992. He also wrote a soccer manual for high school coaches and players, conducted clinics, edited a journal of the national coaches association, and helped organize soccer camps. Born and reared in Frankford, Mr. Yonker graduated from Temple University with a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1933 and a master's degree in English in 1935. He was an All-America in soccer as an undergraduate. Mr. Yonker taught and coached soccer, ice hockey, fencing and track at South Philadelphia and Olney High Schools. He retired from the city school district in 1967 and that same year began a 12-year stint teaching in Drexel's physical education department. After that, he semi-retired - teaching part-time and volunteering at Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust in Huntingdon Valley. Surviving are a son, Eric; a daughter, Lynne Watson; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Private graveside services were held yesterday.
Edition: SF CITY
Page: B04
Copyright (c) 1998 The Philadelphia Inquirer
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