In over twenty years as a player and manager in USSSA softball, Don Loid has been associated with some of the best talent in the game. That, he says, is why he is entering the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame.

"You're only as good as the rest of your teammates," says Loid of your teammates," says Loid of the guys with whom he played. "I'm excited and proud. I never really though too much about it. All the things we accomplished (on the field) were enough for me, but it's still a great honor."

As a manager over nine seasons, Loid has compiled statistics second to none in Illinois. His 35 & over and 40 & over teams have won eight straight state titles, two National championships, two runner ups and two third place finishes.

He's been associated with such top Illinois teams as The Bank of Westmont, Mid America Concrete, Tron Piping, and now Ken's Beverage.

Actually, Loid's career as manager started back with the Bank of Westmont, where she provided important input to the running of that team while still a player. Starting in 1993 with Mid America Concrete and Tron Piping, Loid not only managed but organized the teams, securing sponsorship that allowed them to compete at the upper levels of the game. In 1996, Tron Piping won the USSSA 35 & over World with a 6-1 record, then won another associations National the next weekend for good measure.

Ken's Beverage were the USSSA 2001 Men's B State champs. And just last fall, Loid managed Ken's Beverage to a -0 record and the championship of the USSSA Men's Over 40 World tournament.

Loid's talents aren't limited to managing. In 1995, he won MVP of the USSSA Illinois State 35 & over tournament with a .833 average and a 3-0 pitching record for Tron Piping. Tron went on to post a 3-2 record good for third at the USSSA 35 & over Nationals that September.

Talk about softball, and Loid talks about the people.  He recalls being asked to play with the legendary Lantern team back in the mid-70's, where he learned about playing competitive softball with class. 

"They didn't care who you were or how good you were, if you were a jerk, you weren't asked back," he notes.

Soon Loid was playing for the Bank of Westmont, a period he remembers fondly for the sense of family that sponsor Marcel Levesque fostered as for the consistent winning.

Throughout the years, Loid says, he's had the privilege of being on great teams with players like Gary Stone, Jeff Davies, Ron Havelka, Jim Duffy, Jim Cushing, Brian Schultz, Steve Mai, and Bernie Carroll. After entering the USSSA Masters program, Loid began managing teams with players he's always admired on opposing teams, such as Bill Sahagian, Al Van Gampler, Larry Shepard and Dan Prater.

"They were guys (I've) always admired, and now you're one team," says Loid with satisfaction. "The biggest thing is being with this group of guys."