Bob McDonald had a unique athletic career at Napa High School. He achieved success in the more traditional sports of basketball and football, but also added a three-year stint as Napa High’s Most Outstanding Swimmer. McDonald is the first swimming champion to be inducted into the Napa High School Athletic Hall of Fame. For his accomplishments in all three sports, McDonald was chosen Most Outstanding Male Athlete in the 1980-81 year. He played on the same basketball teams with fellow HOF Member, Greg Johnson, as a junior and senior. He earned Second Team All-MEL and All-County honors in basketball while playing for the league championship Indians. He was named Most Improved Varsity Player in the 1979-80 season. McDonald played two years on the Blue and Gold football team, capping his football career with a place on the All-County Team, with the designation of Defensive Player of the Year for his work as a defensive back. He was also named Napa High’s Best Back in 1980. Napa’s swimming teams were not outstanding during his career at Napa High, but McDonald won most free style events and also won many backstroke and I.M. events. He also anchored all relays. He represented Napa High and the league at the Sac-Joaquin section meet all three years. McDonald spent ten years in the United States Air Force, mostly in Europe. He saw action in the Desert Storm campaign and currently resides in Alaska with his wife and two children.
