By E. Shawn Aylsworth
Managing Editor
Lots of folks know that Pike has an outstanding boys soccer program. The Red Devils consistently are ranked among the state’s Top 20 teams, having finished 14th, 11th, and fourth the last three seasons in the state rankings.
But it’s not just talent that has driven coach Rob Jordan’s troops near the top of the Indiana boys soccer world in recent years. It takes brains, too, and St. Vincent Spirit of Sport Wisdom-Scholar Athlete nominee Curtis Donlan exemplifies that facet effortlessly.
The recently graduated senior is headed to Purdue this fall to study bio-medical engineering. That comes on the heels of a Pike career that saw the future Boilermaker compile a 3.88 grade point average, score a 30 on his ACT test, and twice be named Academic All-State. Donlan also was a Pike Scholar Athlete and served as Pike’s team captain his senior year.
But brains aren’t the only attribute this soft-spoken young man brought to the field. He also showed leadership as his encouraging and calming personality helped keep more emotional teammates in check during tense game situations.
And despite battling numerous injuries during his career at Pike – an eye injury in the middle of his freshman season, a hip injury as a sophomore, a torn quad muscle his junior year – he overcame those setbacks to earn coach Jordan’s highest recognition: respect.
“In my 22 years of coaching at Pike High School, Curtis has made the most out of his talents in the classroom and soccer field than any other student/athlete that has participated in boys soccer,” Jordan said. “Curtis is the Pike boys soccer player role model that all others will be compared to.
Wow. Kind words from a veteran who knows his stuff. We hope you enjoy our video interview with Curtis.
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