By SPENCER BATES
OLEAN — It was an emotional day at Olean High School as a sizable crowd gathered to celebrate and immortalize the spirit of a legendary figure of the community.
On May 18, Olean’s new turf facilities were officially named in honor of the late Don Scholla Jr., a former teacher, coach and athletic director in the school district who passed away on Jan. 28, 2025.
A new sign and plaque that proudly displays the name of Don Scholla was installed at the entrance to the turf complex, something that current Olean Athletic Director, Steve Anastasia, recalled him being thrilled about.
“As this field was being completed, I could see the excitement in his eyes as we talked about it,” Anastasia said. “This is something Don always wanted for our school, athletes and community. He was so proud to live in Olean and to work for the Olean City School District. As he would often say: ‘once a Husky, always a Husky’ and I am honored to have had the relationship I did with the biggest Husky of them all. He was our top dog for many years and led in a manner that formed relationships that will be remembered forever. So, in dedicating this field in Don Scholla’s honor, I feel this is the biggest and best way to say thank you.”
Anastasia recalled a few personal stories during his speech, which included the sporadic pause as he fought through the emotion that the day justly called for. He was applauded during these pauses, a sign of solidarity from the crowd that gathered for the ceremony.
“I remember, a few years after becoming AD, we had a home basketball game versus Fredonia,” Anastasia said. “I had a high school friend who had moved and was now living in Fredonia and her boys played basketball. At halftime we were talking in the hall, catching up, and someone, a former teacher, stopped and said, ‘hey, I just wanted to say you’re doing a great job as AD. You’re no Don Scholla but you’re getting close.’ After that person walked away, my friend was dumbfounded that this person would come up and say that. I told her, ‘Don’t worry about it. You don’t know Don. If you did, you would realize that was a compliment.’”
Current Olean Athletic Director Steve Anastasia (left) and Janine Scholla (right) stand behind the new plaque that honors Don Scholla Jr. at the entrance of the turf athletic complex now named in his honor. (Spencer Bates)
Following Anastasia, the Scholla family — Don’s wife Janine Scholla, and his children Patrick Scholla and Molly McMahon — each took a turn addressing the crowd.
McMahon rounded out the statements by acknowledging that now the “second home” of the Scholla family is no longer one of metaphor.
“Our Scholla family has often referred to Olean High School as our second home,” McMahon said. “The hours spent on OHS fields, courts and classrooms with our teammates, students, colleagues and friends made that statement plausible. However, today it becomes a reality, as this sign makes it official. The Don Scholla Memorial Athletic Complex is a very special home indeed. Go Huskies!”
Pictured is the plaque that honors Don Scholla Jr. at the entrance of the athletic complex. (Spencer Bates)
The Scholla family also announced that this summer they will be giving out the first ever Don Scholla Memorial Scholarship to an Olean High School graduate pursuing a career in physical education or coaching. The scholarship money is funded by the annual Don Scholla Memorial Golf Tournament which will be held at Bartlett Country Club on July 27 this year.
