Wheaton College Athletics

Jim McDonald is one of three athletes in Wheaton history to earn 13 varsity letters. McDonald earned his letters in four different sports: football, basketball, baseball and track. Football was probably his best sport, where he was a pulling guard. McDonald captained the 1937 squad which upset North Central to gain the Little Brass Bell for the first time in 12 years. Former teammate and former College chaplain Pat Patterson said of Jim. “Jim opened many holes for me. He always seemed to outsmart the other guy and I enjoyed playing with him.”

McDonald was also one of the top hitters on the baseball team for three years, playing catcher. And he was on the basketball squad for four years, playing for both Coaches Ed Coray and Fred Walker as a guard. Jim also threw the javelin on the track and field team for one season.