Hall of Fame
S. Grace Donovan, OSB, is, in the eyes of many, recognized as one of the College of Saint Benedict pioneers for initiating intercollegiate athletics and intramural sports.
“My first love has always been sports. Playing came first and then as a spectator.” said S. Grace. S. Grace played basketball in high school, even though it was not as organized as it is now. In fact, the girls team played at halftime of the boys game.
After graduating from high school, S. Grace completed a physical education/history double major in 1945 at University of Wisconsin- La Crosse. She had plans to teach in high school directly after college but landed at the College of Saint Benedict where she taught physical education and history.
After two years, S. Grace entered the Saint Benedict Monastic Community, and while she continued to teach some classes, it was also at this time that she was named vice president for student development. S. Grace recognized that Saint Ben’s students needed more athletic and recreational activities to balance their lives. The first step was to enhance the intramural program.
After intramurals became a hit, she saw the potential athletics could provide for CSB students. It was her vision that the intercollegiate sports program could compete against other colleges.
“I was in a position at the time to encourage, support and help make decisions that would further improve and enhance an intercollegiate program,” said S. Grace.
And that is exactly what she did.
Today, at Saint Ben’s over 300 student-athletes participate in 12 intercollegiate athletic programs.
Since 1986, S. Grace has been director of the department of aging services for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud. Her major responsibility is the senior dining program. She is currently living on the Saint Benedict Monastery where she is an avid Blazer sports fan.
