Heisman Club | 5/6/2025 12:00:00 PM

Oberlin, Ohio - Oberlin College Associate Vice President for Athletics Advancement and Delta Lodge Director of Athletics & Physical Education Natalie Winkelfoos has announced the induction of four new members into the Heisman Club Hall of Honor. 
 
The 11th Hall of Honor class will feature Laura Donaldson P'09, Bonnie Ford '79, Mark Huffman '78, and Jon Kingdon '75. The Hall of Honor induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 24, at 3:00 p.m. in the entryway of Philips Gymnasium during the College's Commencement Weekend. 
 
"The impact of sports extends far beyond competition, and our Hall of Honor allows our athletics department to recognize individuals for their leadership, integrity, and community contributions," Winkelfoos said. "This year's inductees embody holistic development and remind us that how you serve and support others can define your legacy just as much, if not more, than any stat sheet. "
 
Laura Donaldson P'09

Since graduating from Oberlin High School in 1983, Laura Donaldson has been a constant and beloved presence in Oberlin College Athletics. For over four decades, she has provided steadfast support behind the scenes—on the sidelines, at the scorer's table, and across the athletics facilities—ensuring that countless contests, practices, and campus experiences run smoothly.

Donaldson first became involved in college athletics by keeping stats for former head men's basketball coach Pat Penn. Her dedication soon extended to volleyball and lacrosse scoring duties, and she later took on key operational roles, including serving as a shot clock and scoreboard operator for basketball games. Beyond game days, Donaldson has been a familiar and friendly face at the front desks of Philips and Shanks for the past 24 years, working as a building supervisor and welcoming generations of students, staff, community members, and visitors with warmth and care.

Her commitment to Oberlin is also deeply rooted in family. Donaldson's grandfather was an art professor at the college and also coached fencing. In total, 16 members of her extended family have graduated from Oberlin. This includes her brother, Chris Donaldson '97, who currently works in student affairs, and her niece Lauren Sands '24, a recent graduate and volleyball student-athlete. Her son, Jordan Beard '09, a standout men's basketball player, will be inducted into the Heisman Club Hall of Fame this fall.
Donaldson's devotion to Oberlin Athletics, the college, and its community exemplifies what it means to serve with heart, consistency, and pride.

Bonnie Ford '79
 
Bonnie DeSimone Ford earned a B.A. in Government and got her start in journalism as Sports Director at WOBC. A bench-warming varsity basketball player and lesser talent on the coed Ultimate Frisbee team, she returned to campus several times after graduation to announce swim meets, including the 1981 Division III men's national championships. 
 
Ford provided color commentary for University of Michigan men's basketball games at WUOM-FM in her first professional role. She covered education and local politics at the Ann Arbor News and was a criminal justice beat writer at the Detroit News before returning to sports. At the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Chicago Tribune, and ESPN.com, she dug into legal and cultural aspects of sport and the forces that shape athletes at all levels. Ford specialized in international sports and reported from the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, men's and women's soccer World Cups, tennis Grand Slam events, and 14 editions of the Tour de France. She is the co-author of Choosing to Run, a New York Times best-selling memoir by 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden.
 
A former Alumni Magazine Committee and Heisman Club Board member, Ford has taken great pleasure in staying in touch with Oberlin student-athletes and coaches.
 
Mark Huffman '78

Mark Huffman arrived at Oberlin College in the fall of 1975 from a farm in north-central Ohio. He graduated in 1978 with an impressive academic portfolio, earning degrees in mathematics, chemistry, and physics. During his five semesters on campus, Huffman was a dedicated student-athlete, earning varsity letters in cross country, swimming, and track. He greatly valued the support and mentorship he received from Oberlin's administration, faculty, staff, and especially from the athletic department and his teammates—a community that left a lasting impact on him.

While he was a versatile athlete, Huffman found his greatest success in swimming, competing under Oberlin Hall of Fame coach Dick Michaels. At the conference meet during his senior year, he reached the finals in three individual events and won the 100-yard backstroke, setting a new school record. He was also part of the 400 medley, 400 freestyle, and 800 freestyle relay teams that broke school records. At the NCAA Division III National Championships, Huffman further lowered his school record in the 100-yard backstroke, finishing 14th and missing All-American honors by less than one-tenth of a second.

Following graduation, Huffman pursued a PhD in mathematics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, while simultaneously training for the decathlon with SB Outreach, a group of elite post-collegiate athletes coached by renowned multi-event coach Sam Adams.

He then attended Stanford Law School, where he earned his JD and met his future wife, Maggie Fillmore, a physical therapist. Maggie introduced Huffman to a love for outdoor activities such as backcountry hiking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing. The couple settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, expanding their athletic interests to include rowing and triathlons.

Professionally, Huffman spent 33 years as a regulatory attorney with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the public utility serving central and northern California. He continued his commitment to learning, earning an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1992.
Huffman and Maggie retired in 2018 and now live in Marin County, California. Huffman has taken up golf, and together they continue to enjoy the outdoors and the camaraderie of an active lifestyle.

Jon Kingdon '75

Jon Kingdon arrived at Oberlin College with plans to play football, but a knee injury before his freshman season altered his athletic path. After undergoing surgery following the fall semester, he returned to the field his sophomore year, playing tight end in a wishbone offense. Concerned about re-injuring his knee, Kingdon stepped away from playing football but stayed close to the game. He took on a new role as a play-by-play announcer for Oberlin football and basketball broadcasts on WOBC. He also contributed to campus life as sports editor of the Oberlin Review during his senior year.

Kingdon earned his Bachelor of Arts in English, though he was unsure of his next steps after graduation. He spent a year bartending at a restaurant in Queens, New York, called the Steak Loft, owned by Steve Rubell—who would go on to co-found the legendary Studio 54 nightclub.
Finding his calling in sports, Kingdon enrolled at the University of Massachusetts and earned a master's degree in Sports Management. In 1978, he landed an internship with the Oakland Raiders, which launched a long and distinguished NFL career. From 1979, Kingdon worked as a college scout and in 1991 he became the Director of College Scouting until 2012.

After his time with the Raiders, Kingdon worked as an advance scout for the University of California football team for two seasons. He then co-authored the book Al Davis: Behind the Raiders Shield, offering readers a rare insider's perspective on the legendary and controversial owner. Continuing his engagement with sports journalism, became the sports editor for The Lamorinda Weekly, a Bay Area newspaper, where he covers local high schools and St. Mary's College athletics.  In 2022, the California News Publishers Association awarded Kingdon first place for his story "Donna de Varona: Olympic gold medalist and Title IX crusader."

Kingdon married Karen, a forensic investigator, in 1995. Together they have two children, Kelly and Stephen. A proud Oberlin alumnus, Kingdon has been a devoted supporter of the Heisman Club since 1983 and is a regular at Bay Area Heisman Club Happy Hours.  This spring marks Kingdon's 50th class reunion.  

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