Student Profiles
Herb,
Senior
- Major: Broadcasting
- Hometown:St. Louis, MO
- WIU Campus: Macomb
Student-Athlete Defined
When Herb isn't in a broadcasting class learning the finer aspects of on-camera and radio reporting and behind-the-scenes production and directing, or learning about the rich history of Black people through his minor in African American studies, he'll likely be somewhere related to Leathernecks Football.
With the opening of the 2008 season, Western’s senior running back holds the No. 6 national ranking in rushing yards for active players. He also has an impressive streak dating back to his junior season of 295 touches (284 carries, 11 receptions) without a fumble.
Herb Donaldson: # 3 - Running Back
2008 Preseason
- Lindy’s Preseason All-America First Team
- Consensus Draft Services All-America Honorable Mention Team
- 2008 Missouri Valley Preseason Team
2007 Awards
- Team’s Offensive MVP
- Associated Press All-America Third Team
- Sports Network All-America honorable mention
- 13th in Walter Payton Award voting
- Gateway All-Conference First Team
- Gateway All-Academic First Team
- Gateway Academic Honor Roll
As a junior, Herb:
- Rushed for 1,491 yards in 10 games, which led the Gateway Football Conference (now Missouri Valley Football Conference) and ranked No. 5 nationally with 149.10 rushing yards per game.
- Got a season high 314 yards vs. Missouri State which was the second-highest production nationally.
- Became only the fifth player in FCS history to rush for 300 yards twice in a career.
- Notched two of the nation’s top-20 rushing games.
- Tied a Western Illinois school record when he reached 1,000 yards in his seventh game last season, which played a significant role in establishing the team’s highest rushing average since 1958 as well as ranking Western as the nation’s 11th-best rushing offense and the league-leader for the first time since 1997.
The Big Picture
"I feel I'm where I need to be at this point in my life. With school and football, I feel I'm progressing very well; and Western has been great at getting me where I need to be academically and athletically," Herb said.
"Personal awards are gratifying because it shows that your hard work is paying off and that other people have taken note. I enjoy personal accolades, but I enjoy winning even more," he added. "Hopefully my personal success will correlate with our team's success over my last two years. As long as we're winning, my stats and awards don't matter."
Going pro would be his dream, "but only 1% of college football athletes go pro, so I have to be realistic," he said.
That's why academics are important to Herb. Like football, he's interested in, and enjoys, what he does. And it shows in a GPA well above 3.00.
"Broadcasting is very hands on and you get to actually do the work," Herb said. "I enjoy learning the different aspects of the media, as well as getting in front of and behind the camera."
Now it’s time for Western Illinois students to get behind Herb and the Fighting Leathernecks and cheer them on to victory at Hanson Field.
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Macomb, Illinois • Moline, Illinois
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