Bio

Pat McDonald not only made the NCAA Division III All-America Team three times, but he did it at three different positions. That versatility, along with his consistency, made McDonald the key to four WIAC baseball championships from 1986-89.

Most players would be thrilled with one season that features a .389 batting average, six home runs, 39 runs scored and 37 runs batted in. McDonald met or exceeded those totals during each season from 1987-89. Those impressive years make him just one of three WIAC players (all Titans) to earn the All-America distinction three times. McDonald was on the national team as a designated hitter in 1987, a third baseman in 1988 and an outfielder in 1989.

UW-Oshkosh made a trip to the NCAA Division III World Series in each of McDonald’s first three seasons. He appeared in 23 games and batted .361 as the Titans went 35-7 in 1986. UW-Oshkosh placed fourth in the country, but it would improve on that finish the next two years.

McDonald broke out in 1987, marking a .437 batting average with 42 runs batted in, and 41 runs scored in 41 games. That production was good enough to place him on the NCAA Division III All-America Third Team. The Titans’ 37-5 record included a 12-0 start to the season and a 21-game win streak late in the year. UW-Oshkosh lost a 13-12 heartbreaker in the national championship game to finish with the second-place trophy.

The 1988 squad finished second again, totaling 28 wins and eight losses. That year, McDonald crushed a personal-best nine home runs, to go along with a .389 batting average, 40 runs scored and 37 runs batted in. He earned the first of his back-to-back All-WIAC selections. In the Midwest Regional championship game, McDonald posted three hits and three RBI to lead the Titans to the NCAA Division III World Series.

During his senior season, McDonald was named Second Team All-America after hitting .413 with seven homers, 41 runs batted in, and 39 runs scored in 40 games. UW-Oshkosh won 28 times again, improving its overall record with McDonald to 128-32. Individually, he compiled 129 runs scored and 129 runs batted in while blasting 22 round-trippers. McDonald owns a career batting average of .409, the seventh-best mark in league history.

Remaining in the area, McDonald coached the Oshkosh Giants amateur baseball team in 1990. He then became a hockey coach in 1993, and he’s remained on the ice ever since. McDonald guided River Falls High School for five years, making an appearance in the WIAA State Tournament. At Wisconsin Rapids High School, McDonald has led his team to seven WIAA State Tournaments and four Wisconsin Valley Conference titles in 14 seasons. The 2003 Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association Coach of the Year is also the head boys golf coach.

McDonald, a graduate of Eau Claire North High School, and his wife, Doreen, have four children, Kaiden, Kennedy, Matt and Mitch.