Web Exclusives: From the Cheap Seats
a PAW web exclusive column by Matt Golden '94 (email: golden2@erols.com)

Princeton lost a tough one recently. And more than any of its kind on the court or the playing field, this loss struck a chord with everyone close to Princeton athletics. Eddie Donovan, a former Tiger coach of legendary status, died March 15 at his Princeton home.

E.D., as he was known to the more than 7,000 players he coached in baseball, basketball, and football at Princeton, first arrived at Old Nassau in 1943 as head of the Navy V12 program. He remained with the university in varying roles -- serving as head baseball coach from 1952-75 -- for 55 years and left an indelible impression on many of Princeton's athletic greats. In the forward to Donovan's book, My 55 Years at Princeton University, Bill Bradley '65 refers to E.D. as "...a thoughtful, sensitive coach..." who "...always conveyed a quiet dignity that was the essence of his life..."

Last fall, Donovan and his wife, Betty, came to my office and presented me with an autographed copy of his book. Scanning through it, I stumbled upon amusing stories about Bradley, football standout Stash Maliszewski '66, and Donovan's propensity to forget his players' names -- he was noted for addressing players as "you."

Donovan contributed more to Princeton than any deep-pocketed donor or high-profile alumnus ever could. He gave, in large part, his life to Princeton University. He was a teacher, a mentor, and a friend. Princeton's director of athletics, Gary Walters '67, said that Donovan was "a terrific leader. He was a man of few words, but of great character. By his actions, he spoke volumes."

Eddie Donovan doesn't have the career record of Eddie Robinson (the Grambling University coach with the most wins in college football history). He doesn't have the championship rings of John Wooden (the UCLA coach who guided the Bruins to 10 national basketball titles). And he never earned the big-money contract that coaches like Rick Pitino (Louisville) and Steve Spurrier (Florida) garner today. But Eddie Donovan touched more lives and shaped more careers than any of those men.

Princeton lost a great one.

By Matt Golden

You can reach Matt Golden at golden2@erols.com