Bill McDonald

Billy McDonald was well-known throughout the area and state of Alabama for his rough and aggressive rebounding. The nickname “Bull” would forever be a part of his legacy.

Grant’s DAR Patriots won 53 basketball games during McDonald’s junior and senior years in 1956 and 1957. Coach G.M. Wheat directed the hard-charging Patriots to 24 wins and seven losses in 1956. McDonald averaged 15 points and 14 rebounds while making All-County and All-District. DAR lost by three in the district playoffs to West Limestone, which went on to win the state.

Coach Wheat’s Patriots and McDonald would do even better in 1957. DAR made their second trip to the state in four years. In 1954 they won 4^th place. The 1957 team won 29 and lost five. The season ended with a loss to Suttle in the first round of the 10^th annual high school classic at Foster Auditorium on the campus of Alabama. The “Bull”, an All-District player, for the season averaged 20 points and bullied his way to 21 rebounds per game. McDonald, the president of his senior class, finished an outstanding prep career by being named to the Birmingham Post-Herald All-State Team.

Billy earned a two-year basketball scholarship to Snead College in 1958 and 1959. He was a member of the Snead team that played in the Junior College National Tournament.

Bill McDonald has owned and operated McDonald Building Supply in Grant for over 30 years. He is a community leader and volunteer. When it involves athletics at DAR/Grant, McDonald has personally funded and sponsored numerous events and teams.