Spann Continues To Help Give Back To The Community During COVID-19
5/18/2020 9:00:00 AM | General
AMY MERCER
University Communications
Former College of Charleston Athletics Strength and Conditioning Coach Donald Spann's ('98) path to the ministry was long and winding, but whether he was in coaching or in sales, he always found a way to give back to the community.
Today, that quality serves him well in his current role as campus pastor for Grace Church in Taylors, S.C. COVID-19 may have closed the physical doors of Spann's church, but he says it's opened new opportunities for community service.
"We are helping organizations in the community, who are on the front lines of the pandemic," Spann said. "We hosted two blood drives this week and we're planting a garden to supplement those who need food. One of our members loaned his RV for medical workers who need to self-isolate. Overall, our members have stepped up to the call."
Spann's intended path of playing football in college was diverted when he tore his ACL his senior year at Middleton High School in Charleston. Forced to reassess his future, and with the support of several mentors, he was accepted into the SPECTRA Program (Speedy Consolidation and Transition) at The College and majored in physical education and health.
While he was a student, he worked in the athletics department and became a valuable member of the team. Spann stayed on after graduation as a strength and conditioning coach working to help student-athletes become, "bigger, faster and stronger."
Jerry Baker ('74), former athletics director and current executive director of the Charleston Athletic Fund, said, "as a student assistant, Donald, did an amazing job. He was (and still is) a role model for positive thinking, always upbeat and high energy."
In 2000, Spann followed former baseball coach and student-athlete Monte Lee ('00) to the St. Louis Cardinals as a strength and conditioning coach, and later, he spent time with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Western Kentucky University.
He eventually settled down in Greenville, S.C., with his wife and children and worked in pharmaceutical sales. In 2018, the pastor at the couple's church recruited Spann to join their leadership team. He attributes this to Grace Church's belief in fostering and developing various leadership abilities. The organization has 10 different congregations spread across the state, and a large following.
"At Grace Church, we're always creating a team with different skill sets," Spann said. "As an organization grows, you need other people at the table. Being a coach and giving others direction was a different set of skills that I brought to the church."
Grace Church continues to provide community support during the pandemic. Some of those efforts include:
• Providing meals, creating chalk paint messages and gifts for medical workers
• Sewing and providing masks, cards and prayer
• Packing and distributing meals
• Serving as delivery drivers and assembly line volunteers for Meals on Wheels
• Hosting blood drives
Spann's enthusiasm is infectious, and he is humble about his efforts.
"To whom much is given, much is required," he said.
Your support helps to mold and develop the lives of our student-athletes, so they can achieve success and make a difference in their communities after graduation. For more information, log onto: https://cofccougarclub.com or contact The Charleston Athletic Fund by phone at: (843)953-8255 or e-mail at: cougarclub@cofc.edu
University Communications
Former College of Charleston Athletics Strength and Conditioning Coach Donald Spann's ('98) path to the ministry was long and winding, but whether he was in coaching or in sales, he always found a way to give back to the community.
Today, that quality serves him well in his current role as campus pastor for Grace Church in Taylors, S.C. COVID-19 may have closed the physical doors of Spann's church, but he says it's opened new opportunities for community service.
"We are helping organizations in the community, who are on the front lines of the pandemic," Spann said. "We hosted two blood drives this week and we're planting a garden to supplement those who need food. One of our members loaned his RV for medical workers who need to self-isolate. Overall, our members have stepped up to the call."
Spann's intended path of playing football in college was diverted when he tore his ACL his senior year at Middleton High School in Charleston. Forced to reassess his future, and with the support of several mentors, he was accepted into the SPECTRA Program (Speedy Consolidation and Transition) at The College and majored in physical education and health.
While he was a student, he worked in the athletics department and became a valuable member of the team. Spann stayed on after graduation as a strength and conditioning coach working to help student-athletes become, "bigger, faster and stronger."
Jerry Baker ('74), former athletics director and current executive director of the Charleston Athletic Fund, said, "as a student assistant, Donald, did an amazing job. He was (and still is) a role model for positive thinking, always upbeat and high energy."
In 2000, Spann followed former baseball coach and student-athlete Monte Lee ('00) to the St. Louis Cardinals as a strength and conditioning coach, and later, he spent time with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Western Kentucky University.
He eventually settled down in Greenville, S.C., with his wife and children and worked in pharmaceutical sales. In 2018, the pastor at the couple's church recruited Spann to join their leadership team. He attributes this to Grace Church's belief in fostering and developing various leadership abilities. The organization has 10 different congregations spread across the state, and a large following.
"At Grace Church, we're always creating a team with different skill sets," Spann said. "As an organization grows, you need other people at the table. Being a coach and giving others direction was a different set of skills that I brought to the church."
Grace Church continues to provide community support during the pandemic. Some of those efforts include:
• Providing meals, creating chalk paint messages and gifts for medical workers
• Sewing and providing masks, cards and prayer
• Packing and distributing meals
• Serving as delivery drivers and assembly line volunteers for Meals on Wheels
• Hosting blood drives
Spann's enthusiasm is infectious, and he is humble about his efforts.
"To whom much is given, much is required," he said.
Your support helps to mold and develop the lives of our student-athletes, so they can achieve success and make a difference in their communities after graduation. For more information, log onto: https://cofccougarclub.com or contact The Charleston Athletic Fund by phone at: (843)953-8255 or e-mail at: cougarclub@cofc.edu
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