Chippewa Valley Times

Nathan Donovan, a standout player from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's soccer team, has been awarded the Division III Academic All-America Team Member of the Year for 2024. This accolade is presented by College Sports Communicators and honors those excelling both on the field and academically. Donovan, a senior from Hazel Green, Wisconsin, was selected as the top Division III Academic All-American this season.

"I think it's a true testament to all the time, effort and years of dedication I've put into both academics and athletics," Donovan stated. He expressed that being a student-athlete required "daily discipline to choose to be great."

Donovan is the first in his school's history to receive this title. His accomplishments extend beyond academics; he was named a United Soccer Coaches first-team All-American and is now a first-team Academic All-American with a biology major boasting a 3.88 GPA.

"Nathan's work ethic is on display at all times either on the pitch, in the classroom or putting the work in on his own," said Head Men's Soccer Coach Casey Holm. Holm emphasized that Donovan stands out among academic elites.

This season, Donovan became UW-Eau Claire's first two-time All-American in men's soccer after achieving similar honors as a sophomore in 2022. Leading NCAA men's college soccer across all divisions with 26 goals this fall, he also set new school records for goals and points in a single season. His performance earned him titles such as WIAC Kwik Trip Offensive Player of the Year and Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete.

The Blugolds had their best men's soccer season ever, reaching the Division III Elite Eight before falling to Amherst College with a score of 2-1. Donovan leaves behind an impressive legacy as UW-Eau Claire's all-time leader in most statistical categories. Nationally, he ranks third in Division III history with 229 career points and fourth with 94 goals.

Reflecting on his journey at UW-Eau Claire, Donovan described it as "a roller coaster that keeps going up." Despite initial challenges as part of a new program often overlooked by others, he noted significant progress over time: "We proved a lot of people wrong."

"It's a truly unforgettable experience," Donovan concluded about his time at UW-Eau Claire.