Donovan “ All-American” Campbell

Football

Senior

Communications

South Bend, Ind.

Now most of us have an idea of why you came to SHU, which is sports-related, but what made you choose Siena when you definitely had other options as opposed to a first-year program?

Donovan: “Well first off, money talks. Other schools weren’t talking money, and I couldn’t put my mom in the hole with my student loans. Ultimately though, Siena Heights was home. I know it sounds cliché in a lot of ways, but when I got out of the car on my very first visit here, it immediately screamed home. The way I see it, nothing beats home.”

Now, your major is pretty broad when you get ready to go into the workforce. What are you looking to get into when you graduate?

Donovan: “I want to go into sports media. I want to broadcast sporting events. I also want to be an analyst as well. My goal is to ultimately be a sports anchor for ESPN. With guys like Mike Tirico, Stuart Scott and Chris Berman paving the way for guys like me, I definitely think I will reach my goal.”

Your season is over, and you guys definitely surpassed expectations of those around you outside of the university. What made this season’s team so much better than the first three?

Donovan: “I think it was the fact that the first class of guys were all seniors this past season, and we weren’t ready for our season to end at any point of the year. We wanted to keep playing as long as we could. Having in the back of our minds that ‘We couldn’t lose’ gave us that extra gear we needed to win the league championship.”

Most people know this, but for those who don’t, you have a son, Corbin. As young fathers, we look forward to those big teaching moments or great memories we can share with our kids. What up to this point has been your proudest moment or feeling as a father?

Donovan: “Oh, it’s simple. Corbin knowing who I am. That alone makes me smile on a day-to-day basis because there are so many children out here who don’t know who their fathers are and probably never will. So, the fact his little voice goes ‘Daddy’ whenever I see or talk to him brings joy and peace to my heart daily.”

When you walk into the Spencer building/complex, there’s a picture on the wall across from the weight room. It’s a picture of you signifying your “All-American” status. How important is being recognized and accomplishing a feat like this to you?

Donovan: “I would be a liar if I sat here and told you that it doesn’t mean a lot, because it does. It is a great accomplishment that I am very proud of. It reflects on the hard work that I put in to help our team. I don’t gloat about it or always tell folks about it because I am not one for attention or boasting. I do love that I have become an All-American in my four years here at the SHU, but that doesn’t bring rings. I would rather be Robert Horry than Charles Barkley any day.”

In our group, we do a lot of “would you rathers.” You’re no stranger to the weirdness of them. Would you rather be bitten by a dozen raccoons three times each, or be stung by a paralyzing scorpion once?

Donovan: “Wow! Haha! I would definitely get bitten by the raccoons just for the simple fact I don’t want to be paralyzed. So I would take the pain. Being under Coach Jim Lyall, I’ve come to learn that the mental is to physical as four is to one.”

Do you have anything set up as far as potential combine workouts either here for a free agent bid or in the CFL?

Donovan: “Nothing yet, and I say yet because I am confident that I will get something without a doubt. I just need to keep believing and working hard, and trusting God that he will see me through.”

If you had to describe your life up to this point in 10 words, how would you phrase it?

Donovan: “Stevie, I don’t even need 10 words. I’ll put it to you just like this: I, Donovan Campbell, am truly blessed.”