Inside Athletics

Rob Donnenwirth
Rob Donnenwirth
Year Inducted: 2007
Area of Distinction: Administrator / Coach
Graduation Year: N/A

Rob Donnenwirth enjoyed tremendous success as head coach of the Battling Bishop women’s soccer program from 1994-1998.  He compiled an impressive 62-26-9 record during his five-year tenure, including four Dixie (now USA South) Conference Championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and one trip to the Final Four.  Under Donnenwirth’s guidance, the Bishops produced 37 All-Conference performers, three Rookies of the Year, two Players of the Year, and three All-Americans. 

Individually, Donnenwirth was recognized several times.  He garnered Dixie Coach of the Year honors on three occasions (’94, ’96, ’98), as well as twice being named the NCAA South Region Coach of the Year.

Donnenwirth left Wesleyan in 1999 to begin his current position as head coach at Division I East Carolina University.  In eight years at the helm of the Pirate program, he has already become the winningest coach in ECU women’s soccer history.

As a player, Donnenwirth guided West Virginia Wesleyan College to a back-to-back NAIA National Championships in 1984 and 1985 and was named an NAIA Honorable Mention All- American in 1987 as a goalkeeper. He earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from West Virginia Wesleyan in 1988 and his M.B.A. from James Madison in 1990.