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Health & Fitness

Black Knight to Blue Hen

By Connor Nye

Former Stoughton High School student athlete, Michael Donovan, went from being an intern for a big banking company, to becoming the head of Defensive Quality Control at the University of Delaware.

Donovan was a three sport athlete in high school; playing football, running winter track, playing baseball from freshman to junior year and participating in spring track as a senior.  Donovan said, “I hurt my elbow during my senior year of football, which prevented me from pitching or playing outfield.  So having a close relationship with Coach Blonder made the transition to track an easy one.”

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After graduating from Stoughton High, Donovan attended Bentley University.  “My initial plan when attending college at Bentley was to become an accountant.”  Donovan achieved his goal with an internship at KPMG, which led to a job at a tax agency. 

In his first summer after college, Donovan was invited by Coach Burke to help with the football team’s summer program.  As he helped at Stoughton High, Donovan became more compelled to find a job in coaching.  While working on his master’s degree in taxation, Donovan was offered an internship as an assistant football coach at Harvard University.  The following season, Donovan was a full-time member on the Harvard staff which led to more opportunities in the coaching circuit.

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In 2013, Donovan was offered a job as the coach of Defensive Quality Control at the University of Delaware. While at Harvard University, Donovan led a team to victory at the Ivy League Championship. The team has favorable matchups this year against colleges who are not expected to do well. Delaware went 7-5 this year, but is expected to do bigger things this upcoming season. 

Donovan attributes the way he does his job to his experiences here at Stoughton High.  “Through football, Coach Burke showed me the traits of toughness, teamwork, and leadership,” Donovan said. These are lessons he applies everyday on the job at Delaware.  Donovan also, “played linebacker at Stoughton High, which is helpful because that is the position I assist with here at Delaware.”

Donovan loves the competition at the Division I level but also hopes to someday coach an NFL team.  Donovan’s experiences as a linebacker at SHS and a coach at both Harvard and Delaware will help him in his journey to the NFL.  For now, Stoughton High wishes both Coach Donovan and the Delaware Blue Hens success in the upcoming campaign. Keep your eyes and ears out for a Stoughton High alumnus who is sure to do big things.


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