DON SEALE '57 - 2017 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee

During the mid-1950s, Clarkson College showcased some of the best hockey teams in the nation, amassing 60 victories and a .896 winning percentage from 1954-57. The Golden Knights boasted all-star forwards and exceptional goaltending, but Clarkson’s success would not have been possible without the standout play of its defensive corps. 

Anchoring Tech’s blueline was Don Seale. 



An imposing defenseman for the Golden Knights over that three-year span, the 6-2, 195-pound St. John, New Brunswick native skated in 67 career games, recording 29 points, including 24 assists. It was his intimidating, physical play on the Clarkson blueline, however, where he really made his impact.

Considered the “Jackie Robinson of Clarkson Hockey” as one of the first black players in U.S. collegiate hockey, Seale was a big, strong, talented athlete, who embraced the hard-hitting aspect of the game. 

In his first year of varsity competition for the Knights, Seale played in all 22 games of the 1954-55 campaign, helping the Green and Gold to an 18-4 record. 

One of the most renowned seasons in college hockey history happened during 1955-56 when Seale helped Clarkson to a 23-0 mark, the first perfect campaign in the NCAA since 1947. The Knights capped off the remarkable feat by defeating arch-rival St. Lawrence 7-4 in Potsdam.

Seale skated in all 23 games, scored two goals and 10 points in the undefeated season. His first career goal was the opening score in a 5-2 victory over Boston College on February 17 at Clarkson Arena.

As a senior in 1956-57, Seale was at his best in helping to lead Tech to a 19-3 record and the program’s first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Although the Knights lost to Colorado College 5-3 in the semifinal round at the Broadmoor Ice Palace in Colorado Springs, they came back to defeat Harvard 2-1 in double overtime of the consolation game, giving the Green and Gold the unofficial title of Eastern Champions.

Seale played in all 22 games, recording three goals and 10 assists and earned All-East First-Team and All-Tri-State First Team All-Star accolades.

Clarkson Athletic Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Harrison said of Seale, “Don had 210 pounds on a 6-2 frame and knew how to use it. He could handle himself well, hit, stickhandle, feed and jump. He was rarely out of position and quick to rectify a false move. Don was the toughest man to get around I had seen in some time. He was best when the going was the roughest.”


Don Seale with Clarkson President Tony Collins and Athletic Director Steve Yianoukos