Donald Coons '82 ran with the Harriers for four years, serving as team captain and representing the school at OFSAA. As captain of First Squash, he led his team to four ISAA championships, won the prestigious Bulldog Trophy and represented Ridley on tours of both England and the U.S. Donald captained the cricket team and fondly recalls winning the 1980 ISAA championship, which was followed by a Bermudian tour with the team in 1981.
Donald went on to study at Princeton University, where he was a decorated member of the varsity squash team—while also playing rugby, varsity football, club wrestling, and hockey. In the years that followed, his obvious love of sport kept him active in national and international squash competitions. His well-honed leadership skills led to positions as a coach, administrator, and junior development coordinator, and he helped ensure future generations could experience the many opportunities sport can provide.
Donald fondly recalls his Jesters squash tour of South Africa in 1990—which was a transformational time in the country. For five weeks, Donald revelled in his immersive exposure to sport, fellowship, dramatic geography, and the experience of getting to know a new world.
His greatest lessons learned through sports? “Discipline, work ethic, overcoming adversity, perseverance, learning how to lose gracefully, and win even more so.”