For Jeff Donovan it will be one last time under the national spotlight

Jeff Donovan is no stranger to having the national spotlight on him in NCAA championship competition.

This will be the second NCAA Division III World Series for the senior from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He played a major role in the UW-Whitewater baseball team’s run to third place in the 2008 World Series.

As a member of the UW-Whitewater football team Donovan and his teammates played in four consecutive Division III championship (Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl) games. The 2007 UWW football team earned the school’s first national championship. Donovan was a major factor as the team’s quarterback to lead the Warhawks to a second national title in 2009. Donovan was coming off a senior season (in football) where he was named the 2009 WIAC Player of the Year.

J-Doe has been no less a team leader on John Vodenlich’s U-Dub-Dub baseball team. He is in a rare club of being named All-Conference in 2010 and 2011 as both a 1st baseman and as a pitcher.

(In the adjacent photo - Jeff Donovan is a very "happy camper" during the Warhawk baseball team's celebration after winning a berth in the 2011 NCAA Division World Series Sunday afternoon at James B. Miller Stadium - photo courtesy of Jeff Seisser, Daily Jefferson County Union)

Following the game, Donovan’s voice cracked when talking about making one more trip into the national limelight.

“Its very special, I’m very blessed” Donovan told voiceseyeonbaseball.blogspot.com just minutes after his team defeated Saint Scholastic to punch the Hawks ticket back the D III World Series. “We have to take advantage of it. This is my last my, and the rest of the seniors, last chance (to win a title). We are going to do everything we can to win a title but we’re going to enjoy the experience too.”

Donovan and his teammates will open play Friday afternoon at 4:30 by taking on Buena Vista (Iowa) at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton.

Are the Warhawks capable of attaining a second national championship this season?

“We have everything we need,” Donovan said. “Coach (Vodenlich). Following today’s (Saturday’s) game told us – guys, I’ve seen a lot of teams and we have everything we need – now we just have to go out and play good baseball.”