Category: Athlete
Sport: Men's Soccer
Institution: Mohawk College
Inducted: 2019

John McDonald's coaching expertise has left a legacy of excellence for the men's varsity soccer program at Mohawk College. He led the Mountaineers for seven seasons from 1985 to 1991, winning four OCAA medals (one gold, two silver and one bronze) and one CCAA national gold medal.

In 1986, John led the Mountaineers to their first OCAA medal in five seasons losing the gold medal match to reigning national champion Seneca 2-0. Mohawk narrowly missed out on a bronze medal the following season, losing to Fleming 5-4.

Mohawk returned to the podium in 1988, going undefeated in the regular season with a 9-0-1 mark to win the West Division championship as John was named OCAA Coach of the Year. Mohawk edged Conestoga 1-0 to win OCAA bronze.

The 1989 season still remains Mohawk's greatest in men's soccer. John led his Mountaineers to an identical 9-0-1 record during the regular season before winning their first OCAA championship in eight seasons. Mohawk traveled to Calgary for nationals and won its first and only CCAA championship. CCAA All-Canadian Bobby Pretto was a member of the team, and Peter Jedryk was named CCAA Championship MVP.

Mohawk fell in the OCAA gold medal game the following year, and lost the OCAA bronze medal game in John's final season where he was once again named OCAA Coach of the Year. John was inducted into the Mohawk Mountaineers Hall of Fame in 2001.