Hall of Fame honors former Lowell coach
Former Lowell baseball coach John Donohue, who retired in 2015 as the state’s then-active leader with 735 wins, was inducted into the California Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Saturday night at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento.
Longtime CCA board member Dennis McClanahan, of the San Diego Section, introduced Donohue, who coached 33 seasons at Lowell and won 14 San Francisco Section titles, including three straight to finish.
“His records speak for themselves,” McClanahan told the audience of close to 400 at the 60th annual banquet that honors current and retired high school coaches. “All of them are very impressive. But in all the years of meeting these very successful coaches, he just genuinely seems like one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.”
Indeed, Donohue spent six minutes of his seven-minute speech introducing his 24 guests while weaving in fun facts and jabs. The 1969 St. Ignatius graduate was a sportswriter for three years before switching to coaching and teaching.
He said his brother, Mike, led the West Catholic Athletic League in steals in 1979 — “with five.” His nephew, Danny, pitched seven relief innings for MontgomerySanta Rosa against Lowell in 2004. “We were able to sneak by,” Donohue said.
He introduced his neighbors, 7½-month-old great niece Dawson, former students, teaching colleagues, coaching rivals, administrators and pitched a book, “Hard to Grip,” written by his former player and current coach Emil DeAndris.
He thanked all of his players and former coaches, including the man who replaced him, Daryl Semien, the uncle of A’s shortstop Marcus Semien. “I met Marcus at a Transbay game and told him I used to coach his uncle,” Donohue said. “He said, ‘I know, you also taught my mom.’”
He rattled off famous alumni from Lowell, including Mark Koenig, who was on third base when Babe Ruth hit his 60th home run in 1927, actress Carol Channing (class of 1938), Hall of Fame baseball player Jerry Coleman (1942), Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer (1955), actor Benjamin Bratt (1982) and actress Jamie Chung (2001).
He mentioned that he once sent Breyer a Lowell baseball hat — “he wrote me back and said he’d wear it during every bike ride,” and once met Channing. “She said, ‘I looove baseball,’ ” he mimicked.
Donohue had a sweet story about his parents, then finished with a poem read by John Wooden, whom he met at a coaches clinic.
He never mentioned his own accomplishments. Never brought attention to himself. It was and always has been about others, which is why he made such a successful educator and coach. And a friend to so many. He simply observed. Paid attention to detail. Respected people and the game. And did it with a twinkle in his eye.
“May love and laughter light your days and warm your heart and home,” he read. “May good and faithful friends be yours wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world which joy that one endures. And all of life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours.” More honors: Other Hall of Fame inductees included Menlo-Atherton girls basketball coach Pam Wimberly and Bellarmine aquatics coach Larry Rogers.
Wimberly was a pioneer of her sport and won 663 games and 20 league championships in 42 seasons, as well as many teaching awards. Rogers just completed his 40th season as swim coach and led the Bells to their 32nd Central Coast Section title in 33 years. He was the 2015 National High School Coaches Association boys Swim Coach of the Year.
Others to earn lifetime awards included Las Lomas-Walnut Creek’s Linda Sawyer ( Jim Brownfield Mentor Award) and Marin Catholic-Kentfield’s Susie Woodall (Rockwell Distinguished Service Award).