The VanDykes have been involved in Oberlin College Athletics for nearly five decades. The two loyalists met as Oberlin undergrads in 1943. After Don returned from Army service in Europe, they were married, and Don enjoyed a long career in medicine as an ophthalmologist in private practice for 19 years before he joined the Oberlin Clinic in the 1970s. Mary Louise continued in music education, organizing youth choir festivals and northern Ohio hymn festivals in addition to editing the Dictionary of American Hymnology. Their area of concentration through the years has mainly been the women's field hockey and lacrosse programs. For 40-plus years the VanDykes have opened up their residence as a home away from home for hundreds of students. They continue to have long-lasting friendship with many Obies, including 1994 graduate Kate Ford. "I was lucky enough to meet Don and Mary Louise when I arrived as a freshman in 1989. They were a steady and caring presence during my four years at Oberlin, both on the playing field and off, and we continue to be in touch to this day. As a college student, I was deeply impressed by Don's ongoing pursuit of academic enrichment through regularly auditing classes at the college, as well as by Mary Louise's dedication to the choral arts. When most couples look to slow down their lives and minimize their commitments...these two pack more in a day than I could at the age of 19!"
