WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Coach Mark Santa-Donato. June 15, 2005: Monday evening it was announced that the White Plains football coach for the last twelve years, Mark Santa-Donato would be assuming an Assistant Coach’s role this coming season with Skip Stevens taking over the helm. Coach Santa-Donato has written this WPCNR exclusive on his decision, the future of White Plains football, and his feelings about the program:
A Tiger Legacy: White Plains own Mark Santa-Donato. August, 2004. Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive.
Dear John,
Thanks for the kind words you said about me in your article on Michael “Skip” Stevens becoming the new head football coach at White Plains. He is an excellent coach, a great friend and a wonderful person and I know he will do a fine job here. He has been more than just an excellent coach as an assistant. He has gone the extra mile for our players in so many ways. I can’t tell you how many times he has taken kids out for dinner, driven them for college visits, and been there for them for just about anything they needed.
For me, It was a tough decision stepping down, but once my daughter Marlee’ decided on college (University of Maryland), I realized I needed to step back and make more time for my family. I thought about it long and hard over the winter and early spring. It seems as the girls (Marlee-17, Christa-15, & Brianne-13) are getting big so fast! It also seems that as they get older they need you around even more. When they were small it was easier, just bundle them up and take them with you. Now, they are all involved with so many activities and sports (Their schoolwork – #1, Volleyball, Lacrosse, Softball, Field Hockey) that you have to find time to get to see them. I read in your article that Mr. Panaro said I may not be able to put 7 days a week into football. I hope to keep on a 7 day schedule, but just have a little more time to get to see the family.
As you know, I am staying on as an assistant. I will be coaching the offensive and defensive backs (which is what I did as head coach) and also continue to help our players get into college, which is a big job in itself and a passion with me. Getting our players into college has always been my #1 priority as Head Football Coach. Hopefully by me staying on and helping Skip with the recruiting it will give him more time to spend on all the other things involved with being a head coach. I will continue to manage our computerized player data base, our web page, and also continue to help get kids interested in playing football at Highlands MS where I teach. So basically, I am going to stay pretty busy.
I want to thank everyone here in the school system and community who have been so supportive over my 13 years as head coach for giving me the opportunity to stay on as an assistant. I would also like to thank you, John, for all the great coverage and nice things you have always said about our program and our kids. As I take my leave as Head Coach I guess the thing I am most proud of is that since 1992 close to 90% of our football graduates have gone on to higher education receiving almost $5 million in athletic and academic scholarship, financial aid and grant monies in that time. To me, that is the most important thing I have ever been a part of as a coach. Take care and hope to see you soon.
Most sincerely,
Coach Santa-Donato
