If you’re a long-time Donegal fan—or an alumnus—you likely remember Al Brooks’ teaching and coaching days.
Brooks has a rich and storied history of success with Donegal teams. One of his greatest coaching experiences was helping the Indians win the Conference of the Roses in 1963, Donegal’s first football championship ever.
“At that point, Donegal had only had a football team for eight years,” Brooks said. “That year, I was also named football coach of the year.”
But Brooks spent the majority of his nearly three-decade career on baseball diamonds.
With Brooks calling the shots from the dugout, his teams went 371-197-3. In that span, the Indians qualified for the state playoffs four times and won eight sectional championships with a county and
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“I’ve been involved in athletics since I was about 10 years old,” said Brooks, who went on play baseball and football in college.
“I really enjoyed my participation and felt like I got a lot out of it, like learning to work with others and how to solve problems together,” he said. “Luckily, I was able to carry that over into my teaching career. I taught and coached for 38 years, and it was a lot of fun for me. It kept me active and
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“I always felt that athletics help develop the total person. Athletes learn to work together and to strive to be the best they can be—and the hope is that they carry those skills over to their personal lives so they can find success in whatever career they choose.”
When asked what the most rewarding part of coaching was, Brooks didn’t hesitate.
I BUILT RELATIONSHIPS THAT LASTED MANY YEARS LONGER THAN THE STUDENTS’ ATHLETIC CAREERS.
“The most rewarding part of coaching was by far the relationships you build with the student-athletes,” he said. “You become closer to the kids than you do in the regular classroom. I built relationships that lasted many years longer than the students’ athletic careers.”
“I’ve been retired for 18 years,” he continued, “and I’m only in Mt. Joy about half the year—my wife and I have a place in Florida—but when I’m here, I almost always run into someone I coached when I go out.”
Even in his retirement, Brooks has never wavered on his support for Donegal athletics. He still makes his contribution through his membership in Donegal Athletic Club. He says he’s not as involved as he’d like to be since he spends half the year in Florida, but he believes in their mission.
“I have a lot of respect for what they’re doing and how they’re helping the district. They’re doing great
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Credibility statement (if applicable): Like many of you, I started playing soccer at the YMCA when I was four years old and I continue to play sports today so I have seen both the positive and negative aspects that athletics can have.