Hall of Fame
Bingham is native of Knox County (KY) and was a stand out on the Knox Central High School basketball team, participating in the 1955 East-West All Star Game. He enrolled at the University of Tennessee in 1955 setting a school record for the most points scored during a game with 41 points during his freshman basketball season and was also a member of the All SEC team in 1957. Bingham was drafted into the United States Army in 1957 and served in Europe during his two years of duty. During this time, Bingham played on the Army's basketball squad earning nomination to the All Europe Team in 1958 and 1959. He also set the Army record for the number of points in a game with 69 points. Bingham enrolled at Cumberland College in 1960 and scored the first six points for Cumberland's basketball team in its first year of participation as a four-year college. He set records as the leading scorer for each of the next two years on the squad. In 1962,following his graduation from Cumberland, Bingham returned to his high school alma mater, serving as a health and physical education teacher and as the head boys' basketball coach. During his 14 year coaching tenure he compiled a record of 259 wins, 78 losses, and led his teams to ten district championships and two regional championships. He retired from his teaching position in 1991. Bingham was honored by his alma mater with the completion of the Coach Don Bingham Physical Education/Gymnasium in 1999. Bingham and his wife, Mary Ann Cornett Bingham-his Cumberland College sweetheart, continue to reside in Barbourville, KY. They are the proud parents of two daughters and three granddaughters.
