Notre Dame men’s lacrosse player Will Donovan has become a central figure for the team, according to an April 22 article by Ben Hicks. Donovan’s journey from being underrecruited in high school to becoming an important part of Notre Dame’s defense is highlighted by his pivotal play in the 2023 NCAA semifinal against Virginia.
Donovan’s story matters because it illustrates how perseverance and adaptability can lead to success even when initial opportunities are limited. His efforts have contributed significantly to Notre Dame’s achievements, including its first national championship.
During the critical overtime faceoff in the 2023 semifinal, Donovan made a decisive diving check that helped secure possession for Notre Dame. ESPN analyst Quint Kessenich said, “That is the definition of Will Donovan.” Reflecting on his recruitment process, Donovan said, “I was probably lying on my highlight tape. I was actually about 150 pounds, so I was not recruited. I was talking to some D-III schools.”
After attending a prospect day at Notre Dame and performing well, he caught the attention of head coach Kevin Corrigan and eventually joined one of college lacrosse’s most competitive programs. Despite modest expectations as a freshman, he earned Honorable Mention All-American honors and became known for his disruptive style as a long-stick midfielder.
Donovan credits his athletic background in wrestling and hockey with helping him develop necessary skills for lacrosse: “I played three sports through senior year, which I think helped a lot with developing as an athlete. But lacrosse was always the one I gravitated to the most,” he said.
As he progressed through college, Donovan continued improving both physically and technically. He noted that focusing on stick skills rather than physicality suited his playing style: “A lot of developing was realizing I’m not the guy who’s gonna put a shoulder through someone’s chest. So I probably should figure out how to have a good stick.”
Although individual recognition followed—including First-Team All-American distinction—Donovan remains focused on team success: “Recognition is nice to hear, but there is only one goal every year and that’s to win a championship.” Looking ahead to future games and possible championships this May, he added: “It’s the little things that go unnoticed… That culture has been so strong these past couple years, so as long as we commit to that, we are going to be exhausting to play against.”
