Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1071236
20 M H J ON L I N E . C O M | F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 – MICHELE McDONALD "You grow up and you watch your dad coach and it's always in the back of your head that you want to be like them. My parents are good role models and they enjoy it, and you give it a shot and end up enjoying it just as much." A COACH'S BLOOD George's coaching career began once his playing career ended. Shortly after gradu- ating college he took his first teaching job in Bemidji in 1988 with an assistant coach- ing job at Bemidji High School included. George taught and coached for three years in Paul Bunyan's neighborhood before the opportunity to move back home to International Falls came. Coaching, of course, was a part of the allure and in 1993 he was on the Bronco bench as an assistant. But with Michele on the ice as a young player, George noticed he missed celebrat - ing her hockey experience. "I was missing her games and I wanted to be there for that," he said. "So I took a few years off from coaching to watch her play." Michele made sure it was worth watch- ing. In four years she scored 31 goals and tacked on 40 assists for the Broncos. It was an extra homage to her dad, who, naturally, was Michele's favorite coach growing up. "My dad taught me how to play," said Michele, who played five years with boys teams under George's tutelage from Mini Mites through Squirts. "I would say with hockey and with life, he's probably my big - gest role model." "He's why I always wanted to coach," she continued. "You grow up and you watch your dad coach and it's always in the back of your head that you want to be like them. My parents are good role models and they enjoy it, and you give it a shot and end up enjoying it just as much." NO STRATEGY TALKS AT THE DINNER TABLE It's hard not to talk hockey in a hockey family. That can be especially hard in a hockey family with two coaches. But the McDonalds try to make a conscious effort to table game plans when they can. "When she was younger, she saw me come home from a tough loss and how I didn't really want to talk hockey too much after that. Now she really understands that," said George. They do find time to talk shop when they're at work however. Both Michele and George teach special education classes at Falls High School. When they can carve the time out to grab lunch together, they do. It provides each a time to catch up with one another, and provides Michele the per - fect opportunity to pick her dad's veteran coaching brain as well. "We've always talked hockey but it's fun now to sit down and think about plays or Left, The McDonalds were often in the stands not only cheering for the Broncos, but cheering for the coach, too. Top left, George, like his kids, played for International Falls from youth and on to junior college at Rainy River Community College. Above, The McDonalds say they have Bronco purple in their veins. (L to R: Jonathan, Michele and George.)