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Ryan Donovan (right) on stage with John Estrada (left) to receive his Scholar-Athlete Award.
Hayden football player Ryan Donovan was among 50 college and high school scholar-athletes honored at the Valley of the Sun Chapter of the National Football Foundation’s 36th Annual NFF/Fiesta Bowl Scholar Athlete Awards Banquet, which took place last Saturday night at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas.
Donovan, a senior, was among student-athletes nominated from 186 high schools who were selected based on the combined criteria of 40 percent Academics, 40 percent Football Accomplishments, and 20 percent School & Community Citizenship and participation.
“It’s a big honor, especially coming from where I live,” Donovan told the Copper Basin News during a phone interview. “It shows that all the hard work paid off. It’s just a really big honor.”
Donovan acknowledged the additional pride of being recognized by the NFF considering he attends a school outside the big city. He hopes will believe they can achieve similar goals, no matter where they come from.
“To actually have someone look at me and look at my story and say, ‘Hey, I could be here,’ means a lot,” he said. “(I want them) to know that a person could live up and be better than what I was.”
Donovan was named to the 2016-17 NFF/Fiesta Bowl Charities Third Team. He earned multiple All-State and All-Region honors at two different positions – punter and running back – after last season. He is a three-sport athlete for the Lobos, also participating in wrestling and baseball.
In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Donovan is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and the Treasurer of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was elected President of the Athletics Club and is a volunteer in the community, assisting with Highway Cleanup and the local Little League.
Donavan was eager to give credit to those who’ve helped him along the way, including his parents, football and wrestling coach John Estrada, and Hayden Athletic Director Lydia Martinez.
“Lydia Martinez has been a big help, pushing me to do this and helping me all throughout high school,” Donovan said. “Not just in sports, but she’s been there to help me pursue what I’ve been wanting do (in life).”
After graduation, Donovan plans to study at Central Arizona College before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Geology at Northern Arizona University.
Congratulations, Ryan!
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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