Meet Nathan and Emma Donovan. This sibling duo came to Eau Claire to continue their passion for athletics while being able to obtain a strong education. Nathan graduated fall, 2024, majoring in biology with a minor in pre-professional health. Emma is a sophomore majoring in nursing with a coaching minor. Nathan led a successful soccer career as a Blugold, leading almost every offensive statistic upon his graduation and earning a multitude of national honors. Emma is a two-sport Blugold athlete, competing for both the women's soccer and women's basketball teams. The Donovans have always been fierce competitors on the field/court, but their roles on the team quickly changed when they both experienced a season-ending injury.
During the fall 2024 semester, both Emma and Nathan tore their ACL while playing the sport they are most passionate about. Nathan was in the final five minutes of the 2024 men's soccer WIAC Championship game. While running on a breakaway with the ball, a defender slid into Nathan, and he ended up hyperextending his leg and ultimately tearing his ACL. This injury immediately ended his season and was the last game he played as a Blugold. Emma was participating in pre-season basketball practice when she ran after the ball, pivoted, and rolled her ankle inward. An MRI later revealed she tore her ACL, lateral and medial meniscus. This injury ended her sophomore season of basketball, and she is currently on a 12-month recovery timeline.
With both siblings experiencing season-ending injuries, they shared many frustrations with trying to find a new way to contribute to the team.
"The first month after I got injured was the hardest, it was hard not playing in the national tournament with all my teammates since that's what we work for all season; not playing that was devastating. It got easier as I learned what my new role was on the team, and I found any way possible to be supportive of the team," said Nathan.
"The toughest moment of the whole recovery was finding out that I would be out for at least 9 months. It is so hard as an athlete to be hit with this news knowing all the things I wanted to participate in and couldn't," Emma shared. "I found myself spiraling through all the things that would be affected by this injury which only made things worse. I had to set small goals, work to certain achievements and help make the process seem less out of reach."
While Emma and Nathan knew they had a long road to recovery ahead, they both shared how their support systems kept them motivated during the hardest moments.
Nathan shared, "The support system I had was amazing and I can't thank those people enough especially my mom and dad. My mom sacrificed a lot of time, energy and effort to take care of me the first few weeks after surgery to make sure I was comfortable, had food and everything I needed to succeed. The athletic training staff continues to work with me every day with rehab to help me get back to the player I once was. Our team strength coach Kodi Fezler also continues to program workouts for me so that I can continue to get stronger, faster. All the support means the world to me."
Similarly, Emma shares how important her support system has been through her ongoing recovery process.
"My family, teammates and coaches were the best supporters. My family helped me in the first stages after surgery and have set me up with everything I need to make sure I have a smooth recovery. They have encouraged me to keep working hard to be able to get back to the things that I have always enjoyed doing," Emma shares. "Being a part of two teams has been helpful to have so many girls reach out and cheer me on along the way. I was able to continue supporting both teams through their seasons so still being a part of the team is nice to participate and encourage my teammates just as they have done the same for me."
Despite their strong support systems, both Emma and Nathan are still working to fully recover. Even though they have not fully overcome this obstacle, they both share what competing means to them now that they've experienced this new hardship.
Emma shares, "Once I am fully recovered, I think it will give me a new perspective on competing and not taking any of those moments on the court for granted. Putting in the work to become a better athlete means taking care of your body and making sure that it is strong so that I can continue to work on my skills of the games. Paying more attention to my body before competition will become more of a priority so I know when I am at my best to perform."
"It doesn't mean anything different to me now, but I've always been a very competitive guy and with the situation that happened with me and my sister tearing our ACLs at the same time, we kind of have a sibling competition to see who can recover faster. Competition is one way I keep myself motivated," Nathan stated.
It is athletes like Emma and Nathan Donovan that truly embody the Blugold spirit. Setbacks can be a common occurrence when playing at a high level, but what separates the good from the best is how you overcome these challenges to find success.
"I learned that I'm a lot stronger than I thought I was and that my sport doesn't define me. This is the first time in my life that I have been removed from my sport," Nathan shared.
"I have learned that I have more strength than I think I do," Emma stated. "I know I am not all the way back yet, but each step of the way is a building block, and I continue to get stronger and even though it's a long process. There is so much growth to see and seeing where I am three months after surgery where I started has been such a great increase and I know by the end I will be just as strong if not stronger than before my injury and it will pay off, but I need to be patient in the current moment."
Emma and Nathan share their stories in hopes of inspiring athletes who may be experiencing a similar situation.
"It's so important to develop a healthy mindset and to love yourself because you spend a lot of time with just yourself when you're injured. A lot of times you won't feel like putting in the work or doing a rehab, but my recommendation is just to do it as your future self will thank you for it," Nathan shared.
Emma has a similar perspective, sharing with the Blugold community to "be patient and keep focusing on what you can control and just become the best at that. Limitations are hard and it's hard to sit out of the things you enjoy doing, but you must fully buy in to the recovery and take it one step at a time to make sure everything heals correctly."
Emma and Nathan's passion for being a Blugold is a force that could not let their setbacks overshadow their success. Rewriting their story and overcoming challenges is how the Donovans embrace the DIII spirit. Their contributions to Blugold athletics go far beyond the field/court and show how no goal is too big to achieve.
