Athletes pay tribute to favorite coach

Over the past 60 years, Princeton has produced its share of stellar athletes. To single out any one individual as "best all-around athlete" at Princeton during this period of time seems a monumental task. Yet as creative writing professor John McPhee '53 observed in a speech last fall, the choice was obvious. This individual was Eddie Donovan, a man who gave his life to Princeton athletics.

Donovan, known as E.D. to his colleagues and the more than 7,000 student athletes he worked with over his time here, made a lasting mark at Princeton. As former basketball coach Pete Carril once put it, Donovan was "not a big talker, or a flashy guy . . . just a terrific coach."

Donovan died March 15. He was 91 years old.

"He was a man of few words but of great character. By his actions he spoke volumes," athletics director Gary Walters '67 said of the recently deceased Donovan.

A memorial service in honor of Donovan is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on April 14 in the University Chapel, to be followed by a tribute during the Columbia-Princeton baseball game later that day.

Born in Newport, R.I., Donovan graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1932. He coached three sports at Rogers High School in Newport before joining the U.S. Navy in 1942. Upon graduation from the Officer's Commission School at Harvard University in 1943, Donovan was called to Princeton to oversee athletics in the Navy V12 program, for which he assisted the football, basketball and baseball coaches.

Little did he know when he first came to this institution that he would eventually become, in the words of Walters, a "Princeton institution" himself.

After his work on the V12 program ended, Donovan stayed on at the University. In the following 55 years, he went on to coach the junior varsity football and freshman basketball teams, serve as head baseball coach from 1952 to 1975, and teach squash, tennis and golf with the University physical education department from 1946 to 1998, working up until the age of 88.

During this time, Donovan became well known at Princeton as a wonderful coach and a true gentleman.

As former Sen. Bill Bradley '65 — who played for Donovan on both the basketball court and the baseball diamond — wrote in a foreword to Donovan's book, "My 55 Years at Princeton University," "He always conveyed a quiet dignity that was the essence of his life, no matter how tense the situation got or how hopeless the prospect became or how triumphant a result might be, he always held steady . . . content to follow his plan for the game and in life."

John Gore '68, a member of Princeton's 1966 baseball team, remembered practices and games with Donovan as "some of the best times of my life." It is a feeling shared by many others who played for Donovan. In remembering him, his former players point not only to his ability to win games, but also to his dedication to making sports a positive experience for all the players on the team.

Gore noted that Donovan made every effort to put every member of the team into each game, always trying to be fair to each player.

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Donovan's dedication to his coaching and his players was unparalleled. In subtle but significant ways, he helped to make their years with Princeton athletics a time to remember. While serving as head baseball coach, Donovan would reward a home run or a well-pitched game with a silver dollar. He continued this incentive system during his years as freshman basketball coach, this time rewarding successful free throws. It was just this type of thoughtful gesture that defined Donovan's great enthusiasm for his work and his dedication to those he coached.

His unique brand of coaching gained him not only winning seasons, but the respect and admiration of his players. Arnold Holtberg '70, who played baseball for Donovan, hailed his coach as "one of my heroes" in a letter published in Donovan's book. Al Kaemmerlan '63, a member of the 1958-59 freshman basketball team, noted in an interview that he played his best when he played for Donovan.

All those who knew Donovan knew him to be a man of few words, but this trait only seemed to add to his effectiveness in coaching. As Walters observed, "When he talked, people listened to what he had to say."

One well-known story about Donovan centers on his 1961-62 freshman basketball team. Not the best at remembering names, Donovan would be known to announce his starting line-up as, "You, You, You, You and Bradley," Kaemmerlan recalled.

Donovan's concern for his players was evident both on and off the basketball court or the baseball diamond. He recognized that there were many things in addition to sports competing for his players' time and realized the importance of leading a well-rounded existence.

In the words of basketball player Herman Belz '54 — also quoted in Donovan's book — his coach "touched so many Princeton students in a wonderful way, helping to lay a solid moral foundation for what lay ahead off the diamond and away from the basketball gymnasium." With his quiet example, Donovan helped those he coached to grow not only as athletes, but also as people.

His great passion for coaching was not limited to the time he spent with varsity athletes. Donovan gave generously of his time, teaching for the physical education program long after he had retired as baseball coach. He was always willing to give a tip or two to just about anyone in need of help.

In his speech, McPhee fondly remembered the year Donovan arrived at Princeton. McPhee was twelve at the time and noted that Donovan "had the affection and patience" to spend time helping him to hone his basketball skills. Up to his last days, Donovan continued to share this generosity of time and effort, giving golf tips to those he encountered at the Springdale Golf Club, where he was a member.

"He was admired by just about everyone he came in contact with, just because of the way he led his life," Walters said. A man of quiet dignity and great faith, Donovan was an inspiration to all those around him, a living reminder that nice guys do finish first.

Gore captured the feeling of many when he noted that Donovan was "the last of an era."

Perhaps no one knows the truth better than Betty Donovan. In the book that she and her husband co-wrote, Betty Donovan called herself "the luckiest kid on the block" to be Eddie's wife.

In the last chapter of their book, Betty Donovan included letters to her husband that numerous alumni and colleagues had sent along.

In his letter, Arthur Sells '50 echoed the feelings of countless others in telling this cherished coach and friend how much his interest and friendship meant over the years. Sells closes his letter with the simple words, "I just wanted you to know that I have not forgotten."

If one thing is certain, it is that E.D. will never be forgotten.