Darwin Helmbold is another of those versatile athletes who are standouts in several sports. Darwin lettered in both football and basketball. (Baseball was not considered a varsity sport in that era.) Coincidentally, he started in the guard position in both football and basketball, lettering twice in football and three times in basketball. Since the Stivers coach Hawk English had entered the service for the duration of the war, Stivers was in a rebuilding mode; even so, Darwin was selected to the Second Team All-City squad. He also was a member of the tennis team, winning the City Doubles Championship in 1943. This multi-talented student also was president of the Y Tigers and a member of the glee club.
After high school Darwin entered Miami University where he played football in his freshman year. His college days were interrupted when he was called upon to serve his country during those war years, spending 1944 to 1946 in the Navy. After the war, he reentered Miami to finish his education but quit to marry Phyllis. In 1950 he returned to Miami on the GI Bill and again played right guard on the football team, running interference for the great Ara Parsegian.
After graduation from Miami in 1953, Darwin returned to his high school alma mater to teach and to coach tennis and ninth grade football and basketball from 1956-1960. He left Stivers for Belmont, coaching golf for many years with his teams winning two city championships. He retired from the Dayton Public Schools in 1980. During his early teaching years he played and umpired amateur baseball in the summer months. Upon retirement, he bought The Brass Lantern Antique Shop in Waynesville, of which he is still part owner. He now lives with his second wife, Patricia, in Centerville, Ohio.
Darwin and his first wife Phyllis were married 48 years until her death. Their four children are now scattered across the country (Pamela, Steve, Deborah, and Gary) with 5 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. He proudly told this interviewer that this honor banquet will be the occasion for a joyful reunion of the family.