Spring Break
Parental Control
Ken Woods
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Sports
The values that his mother instilled in the senior running back were showing through in this emotional moment. Donaldson credits his maturity and humility to his parents and the work they put in to ensure that he keeps his values.
"I would put a lot of that on my parents," Donaldson said. "They just kept in my ear. I was fortunate enough to have some parents that put me in a great situation to succeed."
His parents created a formidable foundation since he was a young child. Although he was a standout in athletics and particularly football, his parents always made school the No. 1 priority.
Donaldson was enrolled in a magnet school with a heavy focus on education and success in the classroom. Donaldson has been able to translate this early teaching to the high school and collegiate level.
"For one, I'm an educator and for two, having an education will always be the foundation for any success he has in the future," Smith said. "Even with the athletic programs having that educational foundation, I think helped him have the knowledge, ability and capacity to transcend that into athletics. I think it actually makes him a better athlete."
Not only were his parents a pivotal part in his academic endeavors, but they were also prevalent in his athletic activities as well. His father, Herb Donaldson Jr., was his football coach until he reached high school.
Donaldson Jr. did not get a chance to fully understand his son's skills until he reached high school and could observe from a distance.
"I knew he was good, but I didn't really realize how good he was," Donaldson Jr. said. "As his coach at a small level, I couldn't watch him because I was busy with my whole team, so I didn't really get to see him until high school, where I could sit back as a father and watch."
When in high school, Donaldson caught the eye of Western Illinois head football coach Don Patterson. Western was one of the first schools to show interest in the running back and often sent letters and phone calls.
"I would put a lot of that on my parents," Donaldson said. "They just kept in my ear. I was fortunate enough to have some parents that put me in a great situation to succeed."
His parents created a formidable foundation since he was a young child. Although he was a standout in athletics and particularly football, his parents always made school the No. 1 priority.
Donaldson was enrolled in a magnet school with a heavy focus on education and success in the classroom. Donaldson has been able to translate this early teaching to the high school and collegiate level.
"For one, I'm an educator and for two, having an education will always be the foundation for any success he has in the future," Smith said. "Even with the athletic programs having that educational foundation, I think helped him have the knowledge, ability and capacity to transcend that into athletics. I think it actually makes him a better athlete."
Not only were his parents a pivotal part in his academic endeavors, but they were also prevalent in his athletic activities as well. His father, Herb Donaldson Jr., was his football coach until he reached high school.
Donaldson Jr. did not get a chance to fully understand his son's skills until he reached high school and could observe from a distance.
"I knew he was good, but I didn't really realize how good he was," Donaldson Jr. said. "As his coach at a small level, I couldn't watch him because I was busy with my whole team, so I didn't really get to see him until high school, where I could sit back as a father and watch."
When in high school, Donaldson caught the eye of Western Illinois head football coach Don Patterson. Western was one of the first schools to show interest in the running back and often sent letters and phone calls.
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Wayne Whipps
posted 11/19/08 @ 11:10 PM CST
Makes me proud to be a Leatherneck just reading about Herb. I sure hope he makes it in the NFL. If not he will be successful in broadcasting or whatever field he chooses. (Continued…)
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