Anderson, S.C.----Without Candice Donald’s help, the 2003 Wingate University softball team would not have been able to go on a 19-game, season-ending winning streak, earn the South Atlantic Conference title and advance to the NCAA Division II regionals for the first time in school history. Donald didn’t play in any of those games, but had an important role: van driver. 

“I tore my ACL on senior day,” the 2003 Wingate grad says. “It was hard to watch them go on a roll after I got hurt, but I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish.” 

A career .295 hitter, Donald was named to the Verizon Academic All-District III team twice in her collegiate career. Only the third student-athlete in Wingate history to win an NCAA postgraduate scholarship, Donald used her athletic and academic opportunities at Wingate to progress to her current career as a physical therapist in Anderson S.C. 

“I always wanted to be involved in helping others get back to their normal activities,” Donald says. “Because I was an athlete it opened many doors for me.” Donald also credits Wingate professor Dr. Jim Hand as being influential in her career path. “He was a professor with whom I felt I could relate,” Donald remembers. “He was an easy person to talk to and I was excited to go to his class.” 

Donald went on to earn a Master’s Degree at Elon in 2006, but has fond memories of her time at Wingate. “My experiences there were unforgettable,” Donald says. “I really liked the small-town atmosphere there. I enjoyed getting to know my professors and seeing familiar faces walking around campus.” 

“I loved being there and never regretted my decision to go there, not even after the student loans came due,” Donald says. “I just wish it didn’t go by so fast.” 

“Candace Donald represents everything right about college athletics,” Wingate head coach Michelle Caddigan says. “She was an exemplary student, teammate and campus citizen.” 

Caddigan believes Donald undersells her numerous contributions to the Bulldog team. “She jokes about being the ‘van driver,’ but don’t let her fool you,” Caddigan says. “...when healthy, she was a solid contributor. When she was hurt, a large part of our success was due to her leadership! It was an honor to have coached her and I feel fortunate to now call her my friend.” 

Ten Questions with Candice Donald (’03) 

What are you doing now?
I am a physical therapist in Anderson, S.C. After graduating from Wingate in 2003, I went to graduate school at Elon, where I graduated in 2006. I’ve been a working physical therapist since 2007. 

How did you end up coming to Wingate?
I was recruited to play at Presbyterian College. I signed there as a junior, but the coach left between my junior and senior year. Coach Caddigan got my name and called me. I remember when I got off the phone the first time I talked to her I told myself there was no way I was going to Wingate. I’d never heard of it before. But, after a few more phone calls, I came on a visit and knew as soon as I saw the campus that it was for me. It was love at first sight. I never regretted coming to Wingate, not even after my student loans were due (laughs). 

Was softball the only sport you play in high school?
No. I also played volleyball. 

How did you Wingate University experience influence your career choice?
I was an Athletic Training major at Wingate. I always wanted to be involved in helping others get back to their ability in part because I was an athlete. Being an athlete opened the doors to my career; however, most of my patients (at this point in my career) are older. 

Why would you recommend Wingate?
I came from a small town in South Carolina and loved the small town atmosphere at Wingate. I liked the fact that it is a Christian school. I enjoyed seeing familiar faces and really getting to know my professors. The professors and coaches are good examples for students. 

What advice would you give to an incoming Wingate freshman?
I would tell them to enjoy every moment because the next four years will fly by… 

You served as Wingate’s SAAC representative for the South Atlantic Conference for two years. What did you learn from that experience that you applied to your current job?
The SAAC experience taught me much about leadership and how to work as a team to accomplish a goal. I learned that two heads are better than one, meaning the more people you can get to make a decision, the better… 

What was your most memorable experience at Wingate?
The biggest memory I have was when I tore my ACL on senior day. After I tore up my knee, the team went on a 19-game winning streak, won the (Food Lion) SAC tournament and made it to the NCAA Division II regionals. I became a pretty good van driver that year (laughs)… 

Although your most memorable experience was a negative thing, surely there were some positive memories?
Certainly…I enjoyed the bus rides we had going to away games and team-bonding activities like whitewater rafting before the season. The most memorable team experience (was) when we had to pull the tarp after a snow and ice storm. We had had a snowstorm and another was on the way when Coach Caddigan sent us out there to pull the tarp off the field. If we didn’t get it off then, we probably wouldn’t be able to remove it. The team went out there and pulled pieces of ice off the tarp. Our hands were freezing and we complained the entire time, but we did it. 

Who was your favorite professor at Wingate and why?
My favorite Wingate professor was Dr. Jim Hand, an athletic training professor. He was easy to relate to and easy to talk to. I was excited to get up and go to his class. 

Describe your experience here at Wingate in one word?
Unforgettable…

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,159 students offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, world travel, career discovery and community service.

Wingate offers 34 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, communication, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration. In addition, the school awards the doctor of pharmacy and the doctor of education degrees.

Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past four years.

Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 36 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 45 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools. 

(Wingate University junior Steven Grandy contributed this article. Grandy is a Sport Management major from Raleigh, N.C.)