Herb Donaldson in practice and in editing boothHerb, Junior

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.

Western's all-time leading sophomore rusher last year – 1,417 yards and 18 TDs – ranked No. 9 in the nation and earned Football Gazette second team all-region honors and honorable mention all-America honors and was named to the all-Gateway Conference second team.

Herb Donalson: # 3 - Running Back

2007 Achievements

    • Rated nation's 8th best returning running back – The Sporting News
    • Preseason all-America teams – Street & Smith's and Lindy's (first team) preview magazines

2006 Achievements

  • Herb is one of two Leathernecks named Second Team 2006 Football Gazette Northwest All-Regional Team. Six total players were recognized, two named Third Team and two named Honorable Mention.
  • Named The Sports Network and I-AA.org National Player of the Week after his 11/6/2006 328 rushing yards − the 16th best performance in I-AA history and a school and Gateway record − in Western's winning effort vs. Indiana State in Macomb. Also scored 6 TDs
  • Ended 2006 with 128.8 yards per game average, which ranked ninth in the nation and had more yards (1,417) and more TDs (18) than any I-AA sophomore.

Cheer for Herb and the Fighting Leathernecks at Hanson Field!

"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."

As for his minor in African American studies, Herb said, "It is so interesting because there are so many features of the program; from African American folklore to literature of the Black world, there is a great variety of subjects to be educated in."

Herb's Comments about WIU and Macomb

"My favorite thing about Western is that everything is five minutes away, and there is never any traffic unless you get caught by a train."

"I had a slight adjustment coming to WIU and Macomb, but not anything too drastic. The only thing I really miss is the mall. I have to drive home to keep up my shoe collection."

"It has kind of grown on me. There are so many little things I don't have to deal with in Macomb. Now, when I'm home, I'm kind of ready to come back."