MIKE DONIGAN CLASS OF '82 YEAR OF INDUCTION: 2019 Mike Donigan is one of the four athletic sons of Joan and the late Patrick Donigan. "Growing up, I was very fortunate to be in my family," Mike says. Mr. Donigan coached all four boys – Patrick, Joe, Mike and Dan -- for many years from recreation leagues to all-star and travel teams. "My dad really used soccer to help prepare us for life," Mike said. "The winning, the losing, the whole work-ethic message. He had a plan for all of us." Mrs. Donigan was also a big part of the boys' many success stories on and off the field. "She was a great role model as well," Mike said. Mr. and Mrs. Donigan embraced their extra-busy life as parents of talented athletes. "They loved it," Mike said. "It kept us close. "We just loved playing soccer." Patrick, an all-star goalie, was a member of the legendary 1977 SHS soccer team which was part of the inaugural Steinert Athletic Hall of Fame class. Joe, along with Mike, is part of the HOF's 2019 class. Dan is a Hall-of-Famer as an individual and as a member of the 1984 soccer team. 2019 was a big year for the Donigans as the family was also inducted into the Mercer County Soccer Hall of Fame. "It was such an advantage to compete and play with my brothers and to be coached by my dad," Mike said. Mike was a three-year starter at Steinert. His senior year was special as he led all Mercer County public schools with 19 goals and was first-team all-county and received all-state recognition. A four-year starter at the United States Naval Academy, Mike twice led the team in points. His freshman season goal total still ranks fourth all-time at Navy. Mike won three club-team state championships with the Hamilton Hornets (1978), Mercer Sting (1980) and Garden State Tire (1982). He scored 29 goals in 15 games to help Garden State Tire win the Under-19 Maguire Cup New Jersey State title. Garden State Tire, regarded as one of the greatest youth soccer teams ever in Mercer County, lost in the Eastern Regional final in penalty kicks to eventual National Champion Annandale, Va. With wife Katie, he lives in Massachusetts with their daughters Hayley, Hunter, Taylor and Sydney. RETURN TO THE HALL OF FAME MEMBERS PAGE