Profiles in Giving: Intercollegiate Athletics

Don Heineking
Iowa City

Don Heineking's life has been enriched by his love for the Hawkeyes. Now his extraordinary generosity means that scores of talented, hardworking student-athletes can reach for success at Iowa, both in the classrooms and on the fields. And the mats. And the courts. And the tracks. And the diamonds ...

Heineking, of Iowa City, has given $1 million to The University of Iowa Foundation over a period of several years to establish the Donald W. and Marilyn Heineking Scholarships for UI student-athletes in eight sports. Marilyn Heineking, an avid Hawkeye fan in her own right, died in 2004.

The Heinekings’ gift established endowed scholarships for Iowa Hawkeye student-athletes on the UI football, women’s basketball, wrestling, softball, baseball, volleyball, and men’s cross country teams, as well as one for a student manager on the men’s basketball squad.

No scholarship gift has touched more individual sports at the UI, and the volleyball and cross country scholarships are the first for those teams.

UI Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Robert A. Bowlsby said the gift is unique in its scope and offers crucial stability to the entire athletics program. He pointed out that when the UI athletics department offers full scholarships to student-athletes, the tuition and other associated costs such as room and board, books, and fees are paid in full by the department to the UI.

"Scholarships are by far the single largest expense the department incurs, and the costs increase annually," Bowlsby said, "so to have these scholarships endowed is an extraordinary asset. Don Heineking has given to generations of UI student-athletes, both men and women in a wide variety of programs, the opportunity to earn a UI education and compete for the Hawkeyes. We couldn't be more grateful for his generosity."

Larry Wieczorek, head coach of the men's cross country and track and field teams, echoed Bowlsby's gratitude.

"Don Heineking's gift will inspire many future runners on our team," Wieczorek said. "His gift is a wonderful vote of confidence in our program and Olympic sports at Iowa."

Heineking, who graduated from the UI in 1958 with a B.S.C. degree in commerce and science, said he was motivated to establish the scholarships by his respect for the UI athletics program and the student-athletes who participate in it.

"Everyone involved with UI athletics does a great job," Heineking said. "The student-athletes are some of the finest young people I've ever met. They're polite, articulate and energetic, and reflect the values and integrity of the Hawkeye athletics program. It takes a lot of discipline for any student to get through college in good standing, and for student-athletes to do so with the demands placed on them is remarkable. I'm very pleased to help them and the Iowa athletics program."

Heineking is a native of rural Latimer, Iowa. He and Marilyn Sorensen, also of Latimer, married in 1957, while he was a UI student. After graduating from the UI, Heineking served in the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps and also served in the Army Reserve, retiring as a captain. At the age of 26, in 1962, he purchased a controlling interest in Security State Bank in Hubbard, Iowa, of which he still serves as chairman of the board of directors.

Marilyn Heineking worked as a teacher and a homemaker. Together, they raised three children: Kristin Barrash of Iowa City, Lisa Heineking of Walnut Creek, Calif., and Mark Heineking of Iowa City. The Heinekings moved in 1998 from Hubbard to Iowa City, where Marilyn Heineking died after a lengthy illness in February 2004.

The Heinekings were active volunteers and major contributors for many community initiatives in Hubbard, including the Hubbard Nursing Home and the Hubbard Community Fund. Don Heineking was town treasurer of Hubbard, and he has been a leader in statewide banking associations, in addition to serving on the board of directors of the Johnson County I-Club, the National I-Club, and the Iowa Scholarship Fund.

With his all-encompassing gift, Don Heineking has established a far-reaching Hawkeye legacy -- by helping generations of student-athletes make Hawkeye history.

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