Jim McDonnell Scholarship

11/05/2025

Warms our heart! Dad would have loved this.

Students Receive Fishing Poles Through the Jim McDonnell Scholarship Program
Students were recently awarded fishing poles through the Jim McDonnell Scholarship, a program dedicated to encouraging youth involvement in outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship. The scholarship honors the legacy of Jim McDonnell, an avid outdoorsman and advocate for introducing young people to the joys and benefits of fishing.
The fishing poles were presented to students from the Jim McDonnell Scholarship Program. By providing this opportunity, the Jim McDonnell Scholarship aims to foster lifelong appreciation for nature, teach patience and responsibility, and inspire the next generation of anglers.
Educators expressed gratitude for the program’s impact on students, noting that hands-on experiences like fishing can help develop confidence, focus, and respect for the environment. The scholarship not only provides equipment but also promotes the values of community, sustainability, and healthy outdoor recreation that Jim McDonnell championed throughout his life.
This initiative continues to connect students with nature—one fishing pole at a time.
Students Receive Fishing Poles Through the Jim McDonnell Scholarship Program
Students were recently awarded fishing poles through the Jim McDonnell Scholarship, a program dedicated to encouraging youth involvement in outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship. The scholarship honors the legacy of Jim McDonnell, an avid outdoorsman and advocate for introducing young people to the joys and benefits of fishing.
The fishing poles were presented to students from the Jim McDonnell Scholarship Program. By providing this opportunity, the Jim McDonnell Scholarship aims to foster lifelong appreciation for nature, teach patience and responsibility, and inspire the next generation of anglers.
Educators expressed gratitude for the program’s impact on students, noting that hands-on experiences like fishing can help develop confidence, focus, and respect for the environment. The scholarship not only provides equipment but also promotes the values of community, sustainability, and healthy outdoor recreation that Jim McDonnell championed throughout his life.
This initiative continues to connect students with nature—one fishing pole at a time.

https://www.facebook.com/share/15iw72EytG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

10/09/2025

Save the Date!

07/16/2025

Whether he was chasing pheasants with friends, coaching girls' sports at Clay Central High School, or teaching others new ways to enjoy his favorite pastime, fishing, Jim McDonnell always left a mark.

The longtime Royal resident, teacher, and coach earned many accolades during his lifetime. In 1972, he was named the Girls’ Advisory Basketball Coach of the Year, earned the Jerry Golden Award and the Hall of Fame Award in 1991, and was inducted into the Iowa Girls Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. But his first love wasn’t in the classroom, the basketball court, track, or softball field.

“Dad’s first love and passion was always the outdoors,” his youngest daughter, Kelly Jo McDonnell, recalled. “Sometimes his teaching and coaching overshadowed it, because he was so good at that, but his first love … was the outdoors.”

READ MORE: https://www.spencerdailyreporter.com/news/royal-legend-jim-mcdonnell-nw-iowas-fishing-professor

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05/07/2025

Our founder, Jim McDonnell, airing on Backroads on FanDuelthis Saturday, May 10th....theme was "remembering".

04/18/2025

So proud to award this year's 2025 Jim McDonnell Scholarship to Spirit Lake High School senior, Isaac Ostovic! He's going to SDSU to major in Conservation. He's the perfect candidate! Dad would have been so proud.

Reminder (link to our scholarship website in comments), students can apply online right on the site. All proceeds go to the scholarships.