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Paul McDonnell was a star quarterback and punter on the AU football team, earning All-American honors as junior in 1987, when he threw for 1,404 yards and ran for more than 500.
A four-year starter (1985-88), he was quarterback on the 1986 team that went 9-2 and won the ECAC North Championship.
For his career, he threw for 4,431 yards — third on the AU career list at the time of his graduation and seventh on the current all-time list. He earned honorable mention All-American honors in 1987 and was a 1988 preseason All-American. He led New York Upstate teams in passer efficiency in 1987 and was top five in the ECAC in punting each of his four seasons at Alfred.
McDonnell lists the 1987 season as most memorable. That year, he and two teammates — tailback Ray Rogers and defensive back Greg Prusia — earned All-American honors.
"As a team we averaged 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing,"he recalled.
McDonnell earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from AU in 1989 and went on to earn a master's in physical education/sports management in 1991 from Springfield (MA) College. He is currently an independent manufacturer's representative in Ballston Lake, NY, representing numerous companies in the sporting goods industry.
He and his wife, Penny (Giess) '87, live in Ballston Lake with their two children.
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