Distinctly Montana Magazine

69 w w w. d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m Donald and Achievement Joe competed at all levels from grade school through college. He even competed in the Senior Olympics when he was in his 80s. Sports were in his DNA. Shortly after graduating from high school, he was able to se- cure a basketball scholarship at Western Montana College. It was at Western where he met his future partner in life, Sherri. They graduated from Western in 1953 and for the next 14 years he coached at K-12 schools across Montana, then finally coach- ing at the University of Montana (UM) and Northern Montana College. Along the way he picked up his bachelor's and master's degrees at UM in Education, Health, and Physical Education. He would later add a doctorate of education from UM. Many life lessons can be learned from playing sports and, in particular, coaching. Apart from it being a natural progression from being a player, successful coaches develop qualities of leadership, team building, cultivating personal relationships, in- clusivity, inspiring and motiving your players to their maximum potential—all things Joe would excel at. Over those 14 years Joe built a statewide reputation for ex- cellence which helped bring him "home" in 1967 as the princi- pal and assistant superintendent of Ronan Public Schools. Apart from his newfound responsibilities as principal, he was, of course, also coaching many of the school's sports. Whether it was in aca- demics or athletics, Joe was always all about the student—either helping to lift up those who were struggling, or propelling the more successful to a higher level. Joe saw athletics as a way to keep Native kids in school, who were otherwise dropping out at a high rate. During his tenure as athletic director, Ronan claimed one state football championship, three track and field champion- ships and three wrestling state championships. While at Ronan, the Navajo Tribe started the first tribal col- lege in the country in 1968: the Navajo Community College, now known as Diné College. Joe realized the value and potential of tribal colleges to provide education to Native populations, espe- cially in rural communities, in a culturally competent manner. He became an early advocate of the tribal college system and he dared to envision such a college on the Flathead Reservation. Despite long odds and many hurdles, Salish Kootenai College (SKC) was chartered in 1977. They had no buildings, no class- rooms, no student services and no full-time instructors. Joe opened up an SKC checking account with $5. By the time of his Dixon High School Basketball team, 1951. Joe McDonald is #10 on the right-hand end. West Yellowstone Smokejumpers, 1952. Joe McDonald far right PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WEST YELLOWSTONE SMOKEJUMPER BASE McDonald, coach of the Miles City State School Beavers, being awarded District Four Coach of the Year, late 1950s McDonald coaching the Hamilton Broncs, early 1960s. McDonald at Arlee Powwow PHOTO COURTESY OF MCDONALD FAMILY

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