Plymouth State University

CASSANDRA DONOVAN ('65): A former basketball, tennis and field hockey player at Plymouth Teachers College, Donovan has spent her professional life as a teacher, coach and administrator at Exeter (N.H.) High School, providing a major influence in the growth of athletics at Exeter and in New Hampshire. She coached numerous state champions and has been a pioneer in the emergence and development of girls athletics in the Granite State.

Donovan began her career at Exeter High in 1965, and served 12 years as girls track coach and seven years as girls basketball coach. She led her track teams to eight state championships, including four in a row from 1966-69, and she guided her basketball teams to three undefeated regular seasons and an overall record of 75-10, twice reaching the state semifinals.

Donovan became the first female athletic director at a Class L school in 1980, serving 18 years in the position at Exeter H.S. She was very involved in and has been recognized by the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association, including service on the Track and Field and Gender Equity Committees. She received the Walter Smith Coaches Award from The Union Leader in 1989, received the NHIAA Campaign for Girls Sports Award in 2001, and was inducted into the NHIAA Hall of Fame in 2004.