[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3124]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF COACH TONY ``MAC'' McDONALD'S 600 CAREER VICTORIES

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                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 5, 2007

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Coach 
Tony McDonald for his tremendous achievement of 600 career victories as 
head basketball coach at Central High School in Allentown, FL, located 
in my district in northwest Florida.
  Coach Mac himself graduated in 1969 from Allentown School, one of 
three schools that would come to be known as Central High School. After 
graduating, he went on to honorably serve his country for 4 years in 
the United States Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base, not far from home. 
During his time in the service, Tony was able to come back to Allentown 
and watch the basketball games, developing a stronger desire to return 
and coach at the spirited school.
  After the Air Force, Tony stayed in northwest Florida and attended 
the University of West Florida, graduating from there in 1977. It was 
shortly after this graduation that he returned to become the Junior 
Varsity Basketball coach at his alma mater of Allentown High School. A 
year later, he became head coach, a position he stayed with for three 
seasons. Tony left for rival Milton High School to serve as their head 
basketball coach for the following season.
  Tony's heart was always with his alma mater, though, and soon enough 
he returned once again to Allentown School. By the time the 1985-86 
basketball season kicked off with Coach at the helm, Allentown School 
had consolidated with Chumuckla School and Munson School, and the high 
school sections became Central High School, and under this name Tony 
would coach his students for the next 22 seasons, having a banner 
career in the process.
  For six seasons during those early years at Central, Coach Mac was in 
charge of both the boys' and girls' teams, and was able to bring the 
girls' team their first winning season. Every day was another challenge 
to better his students, and many acknowledge how well he motivated 
them. What many rival schools noted was Coach Mac's ability to turn a 
small squad into a basketball powerhouse. While many other schools had 
teams of several more players, Central's smaller squads continued to 
play tireless games. While the energy that Coach Mac put into his 
players was a great factor, so was the energy they gave back to their 
dedicated coach. Coach's energy also carries into the classroom, where 
he teaches both geography and American history. It would be difficult 
to find someone more committed to helping students than Tony McDonald.
  Reaching 500 career wins was a milestone in itself, so it was with 
even more excitement that Coach Mac reached his 600th career win on 
January 16, 2007. Given the devotion to his players on and off the 
court, it should not come as a big surprise. During his time as head 
coach, he has led the team to nine playoff appearances and five 
district championships. In fact, a sixth district championship this 
season is not out of the realm of possibility.
  Coach McDonald has set a high standard in his dedication to his work 
and his devotion to his students. A benchmark has been established for 
many other high school coaches. Coaches serve as role models for 
students, and Coach Mac has without a doubt been a great role model for 
those that played for him. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United 
States Congress, it is a great honor for me to congratulate Coach Tony 
``Mac'' McDonald for over 20 years of dedication to his high school 
students and an amazing 600 career wins as head coach of Central High 
School.

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