Donna Fishter is considered an architect of team culture & player development. In today’s society it is coaches that have the greatest impact in an athlete’s life. That is why Donna is so passionate about educating coaches on how to connect better with players and build mentally and emotionally strong athletes. This intrinsic focus with individual athletes filters into how the culture of a team functions. Donna believes the beliefs and behaviors of players can be mobilized in such a way to create ownership in the team and what the corporate world calls fierce loyalty. To build this foundation, coaches need leaders they can count on to influence teammates and shape the culture. Leadership is key in any organization, and that is why Donna became a certified leadership coach with the John Maxwell Coaching Team.
Donna Fishter is considered an architect of team culture & player development. In today’s society it is coaches that have the greatest impact in an athlete’s life. That is why Donna is so passionate about educating coaches on how to connect better with players and build mentally and emotionally strong athletes. This intrinsic focus with individual athletes filters into how the culture of a team functions. Donna believes the beliefs and behaviors of players can be mobilized in such a way to create ownership in the team and what the corporate world calls fierce loyalty. To build this foundation, coaches need leaders they can count on to influence teammates and shape the culture. Leadership is key in any organization, and that is why Donna became a certified leadership coach with the John Maxwell Coaching Team.
This intense focus on leadership and team culture began in what Donna now calls her “laboratory” at UCF (University of Central Florida) Women’s Soccer. Donna was a member of the UCF coaching staff for 13 years with World Cup Champion and Olympian Amanda Cromwell. From the beginning of her stint at UCF, Donna implemented a leadership training program and was the architect behind a team culture instrumental in moving UCF from #145 (NCAA RPI final ranking) in 2000 to a consistently recognized Top 25 program by 2007.
“Donna had extraordinary impact on the student-athletes at UCF but she also made me a better coach on a daily basis,” said Amanda Cromwell. “We were successful because of the ideas and training she implemented in the program. These educational components are now helping me develop mentally strong influencers at UCLA”.
Driving the leadership and culture development at UCF wasn’t Donna’s only priority. As the Goalkeeper Coach Donna mentored some of the top keepers in school history including All-American, Olympian & World Cup Player Aline Reis. During Donna’s thirteen seasons with UCF the Knights posted 106 total shutouts.
In 2013 Donna stepped out of the x’s and o’s in order to devote 100% of her time to consulting. Through intense focus on leadership, culture, and personal development she has helped coaches, teams, and athletes across the country build foundations and strategies to ACHIEVE GREATNESS. Today, Donna consults for NCAA collegiate teams in multiple sports, high school & youth teams, and professional & national team athletes.
This intense focus on leadership and team culture began in what Donna now calls her “laboratory” at UCF (University of Central Florida) Women’s Soccer. Donna was a member of the UCF coaching staff for 13 years with World Cup Champion and Olympian Amanda Cromwell. From the beginning of her stint at UCF, Donna implemented a leadership training program and was the architect behind a team culture instrumental in moving UCF from #145 (NCAA RPI final ranking) in 2000 to a consistently recognized Top 25 program by 2007.
“Donna had extraordinary impact on the student-athletes at UCF but she also made me a better coach on a daily basis,” said Amanda Cromwell. “We were successful because of the ideas and training she implemented in the program. These educational components are now helping me develop mentally strong influencers at UCLA”.
Driving the leadership and culture development at UCF wasn’t Donna’s only priority. As the Goalkeeper Coach Donna mentored some of the top keepers in school history including All-American, Olympian & World Cup Player Aline Reis. During Donna’s thirteen seasons with UCF the Knights posted 106 total shutouts.
In 2013 Donna stepped out of the x’s and o’s in order to devote 100% of her time to consulting. Through intense focus on leadership, culture, and personal development she has helped coaches, teams, and athletes across the country build foundations and strategies to ACHIEVE GREATNESS. Today, Donna consults for NCAA collegiate teams in multiple sports, high school & youth teams, and professional & national team athletes.
Donna is a 1995 graduate from Anderson University in Indiana where she competed as a dual athlete in soccer and softball. Upon finishing her eligibility, she joined the women’s soccer coaching staff at her alma mater until she moved to Florida in 1998. In 2012, Donna was inducted into the AU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Donna spent 1997-1999 playing in the United Soccer Leagues women’s division, starting her career with the Indiana Blaze in 1997, joined the Orlando Ladyhawks in 1998, and finished her playing career in 1999 with the Tampa Bay Extreme. After a one-year stint as an assistant coach at Edgewater High School in Orlando, she served as the head coach at Trinity Prep in 1999 and through the years has coached various age groups in club soccer.
Donna has also spent time in the classroom serving as an adjunct instructor teaching for the UCF College of Education (sports & fitness). Many people inspire Donna’s life, some of whom are: the Apostle Paul, John Maxwell, Condoleezza Rice, John Wooden, Cal Ripken, Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy. Donna is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies at Reformed Theological Seminary. She is a covenant member of Genesis Church. Donna lives in Orlando with her terrier/schnauzer All-American dog named Condi.
Donna is a 1995 graduate from Anderson University in Indiana where she competed as a dual athlete in soccer and softball. Upon finishing her eligibility, she joined the women’s soccer coaching staff at her alma mater until she moved to Florida in 1998. In 2012, Donna was inducted into the AU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Donna spent 1997-1999 playing in the United Soccer Leagues women’s division, starting her career with the Indiana Blaze in 1997, joined the Orlando Ladyhawks in 1998, and finished her playing career in 1999 with the Tampa Bay Extreme. After a one-year stint as an assistant coach at Edgewater High School in Orlando, she served as the head coach at Trinity Prep in 1999 and through the years has coached various age groups in club soccer.
Donna has also spent time in the classroom serving as an adjunct instructor teaching for the UCF College of Education (sports & fitness). Many people inspire Donna’s life, some of whom are: the Apostle Paul, John Maxwell, Condoleezza Rice, John Wooden, Cal Ripken, Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy. Donna is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies at Reformed Theological Seminary. She is a covenant member of Genesis Church. Donna lives in Orlando with her terrier/schnauzer All-American dog named Condi.
Donna is a Certified John Maxwell Leadership Coach
“John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold more than 13 million books. Every year he speaks to Fortune 500 companies, international government leaders, and organizations as diverse as the United States Military Academy at West Point, the National Football League, and ambassadors at the United Nations.” (JohnMaxwell.com)
Donna is a Certified John Maxwell Leadership Coach
“John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold more than 13 million books. Every year he speaks to Fortune 500 companies, international government leaders, and organizations as diverse as the United States Military Academy at West Point, the National Football League, and ambassadors at the United Nations.” (JohnMaxwell.com)
What I’ve Been Called
FIREMAN
Sometimes you have “fires” within your team that need to be put out. Tim Grover of Attack Athletics talks about his athletes “pulling the fire alarm” and that is when the call to him happens. I get those calls from clients and I don’t mind. That’s part of what I do. Help put out fires.
WINGMAN
The traditional military concept of “wingman” is the pattern in which fighter jets fly. A second jet flies off the right wing of and behind the lead jet. This “wingman” protects the lead aircraft. I’ve had individuals tell me that I fill that role for them. I have their back and I won’t “bug out” when the fight gets tough.
ASLAN
We were playing the game “if the person to your right was an animal what would they be?” I not only had a team tell me I was a lion but they specifically personified me as Aslan who is a character in C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia. I love the quote about Aslan that gives the idea he is good and yet he is dangerous. My people know I love them and they know I’m going to push them into discomfort.
What I’ve Been Called
FIREMAN
Sometimes you have “fires” within your team that need to be put out. Tim Grover of Attack Athletics talks about his athletes “pulling the fire alarm” and that is when the call to him happens. I get those calls from clients and I don’t mind. That’s part of what I do. Help put out fires.
WINGMAN
The traditional military concept of “wingman” is the pattern in which fighter jets fly. A second jet flies off the right wing of and behind the lead jet. This “wingman” protects the lead aircraft. I’ve had individuals tell me that I fill that role for them. I have their back and I won’t “bug out” when the fight gets tough.
ASLAN
We were playing the game “if the person to your right was an animal what would they be?” I not only had a team tell me I was a lion but they specifically personified me as Aslan who is a character in C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia. I love the quote about Aslan that gives the idea he is good and yet he is dangerous. My people know I love them and they know I’m going to push them into discomfort.
Challenges of Coaching
For over 20 years I have been on the sideline coaching at various levels from youth all the way up to the college level. These experiences have shaped the current ideas and strategies that I now use in my consulting work to coach coaches, develop leaders, and help build great teams.
Maybe some of these topics have challenged you as they have my life and career. Below is my transparency in the areas of self, team, and players.
Challenges of Coaching
Top 5 Challenges Within Myself
- Staying focused on education in all areas instead of expecting athletes to think and do things the way I did as an athlete
- Staying relationship focused over task-focused; people over just the x’s and o’s
- Making sure I fill my energy and emotional tanks so that I can give to my players
- Being empathetic in all areas (even the areas that are “no-brainers” to me)
- Delegate and cast the vision for a task but understand there are different ways to arrive at the same point
Top 5 Challenges Within Teams
- Getting team leaders to actually step up and LEAD in a positive direction
- Empowering leaders to take ownership, communicate, and be intentional about influencing their teammates
- Teaching the balance of individual competitiveness and embracing the team concept
- Dealing with the subtle divide between starters and reserves & how to keep non-travelers and injured players involved and on-board
- Personality conflicts between players who don’t want to process it together
Top 5 Challenges With Players
- Reserve players understanding their role and still feeling valued as a critical part of the team’s success
- Navigating the “Entitlement Generation”
- Teaching veteran players that respect is “earned” not demanded and serving others gets you farther in life
- Creating strategies that encourage players to take responsibility and then within a busy and full schedule to daily reflect and evaluate themselves
- Educating players that life isn’t fair and it comes down to a matter of perspective… their “chance” is everyday in practice.
Top 5 Challenges Within Myself
- Staying focused on education in all areas instead of expecting athletes to think and do things the way I did as an athlete
- Staying relationship focused over task-focused; people over just the x’s and o’s
- Making sure I fill my energy and emotional tanks so that I can give to my players
- Being empathetic in all areas (even the areas that are “no-brainers” to me)
- Delegate and cast the vision for a task but understand there are different ways to arrive at the same point
Top 5 Challenges Within Teams
- Getting team leaders to actually step up and LEAD in a positive direction
- Empowering leaders to take ownership, communicate, and be intentional about influencing their teammates
- Teaching the balance of individual competitiveness and embracing the team concept
- Dealing with the subtle divide between starters and reserves & how to keep non-travelers and injured players involved and on-board
- Personality conflicts between players who don’t want to process it together
Top 5 Challenges With Players
- Reserve players understanding their role and still feeling valued as a critical part of the team’s success
- Navigating the “Entitlement Generation”
- Teaching veteran players that respect is “earned” not demanded and serving others gets you farther in life
- Creating strategies that encourage players to take responsibility and then within a busy and full schedule to daily reflect and evaluate themselves
- Educating players that life isn’t fair and it comes down to a matter of perspective… their “chance” is everyday in practice.
5 Things Not
Everyone Knows
- I am a bag and bin-a-holic! You can never have too many pockets in a bag or sections in a bin! I take staying organized to the next level!
- I love antique shopping, if you need help in being a professional antique shopper let me know!
- I love dry erase boards. It is amazing how creative one can be with a dry-erase board. Do you want a secret for erasing…. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers™! Boom.
- I collect Starbucks mugs and bears. Quite often I receive these mugs as gifts (hint, hint) from around the world.
- I am very Patriotic! I love learning the history of our forefathers and visiting the historic places in America.
5 Things Not Everyone Knows
- I am a bag and bin-a-holic! You can never have too many pockets in a bag or sections in a bin! I take staying organized to the next level!
- I love antique shopping, if you need help in being a professional antique shopper let me know!
- I love dry erase boards. It is amazing how creative one can be with a dry-erase board. Do you want a secret for erasing…. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers™! Boom.
- I collect Starbucks mugs and bears. Quite often I receive these mugs as gifts (hint, hint) from around the world.
- I am very Patriotic! I love learning the history of our forefathers and visiting the historic places in America.
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