Mike Donahue

After coaching senior Mike Donahue for years, head football coach Ben Wolfe said he recognizes Donahue’s potential.

“I was the head coach for (Donahue) for football. I’ve been coaching him in the last three or four years he’s been in the program,” Wolfe said. “Mike’s a very capable football player. He’s very intelligent. He’s hardworking. He moves very well for a lineman. He’s strong. He moves really well in space. He’s definitely a good fit for the Division II and college level.”

Senior Mike Donahue said he recently committed to playing for Bemidji starting this fall.

“I signed my letter of intent to go to Bemidji state this coming fall,” Donahue said. “I’m going to redshirt my first year which is guaranteed when you play Division II football. (This) means you get to workout and you’re on the roster, but you don’t get to go to the away games nor do you suit up for the home games.”

Wolfe said he especially commends Donahue’s efforts due to the strenuous aspects of the committing process.

“It’s not something that works out for everybody,” Wolfe said. “A lot of people get the notion that it’s really easy to go play college sports but it’s actually pretty tough, and there’s a lot of opportunities for the sport of football because there’s a lot of bodies on the field. But it takes a lot of work and (props) to Mike for all of the work he’s put in up to this point.”

Wolfe said he predicts Donahue will succeed at Bemidji as well as other future endeavors.

“He’ll be successful in whatever he does and I think this is a great opportunity for him,” Wolfe said.

Donahue said he’s very grateful for the opportunity and looks forward to his college years.

“I’m super excited. They have a great program,” Donahue said. “They have great coaches. They have a great school. I’m really excited for their engineering program. It’s also cool knowing that I’m going to college.”