University of Northwestern Athletics

Basketball 1985-'89, Track 1988

Big guys like Joe Doran make big plays.  None was bigger than “the shot” – Joe’s turnaround half-court buzzer beater of an inbounds pass from under Northwestern’s basket.  The three-pointer gave the Eagles an 88-87 victory over St. Scholastica and the UMAC title.  A four-year starter, the 6’6” postman hit many big shots while averaging over 16 points per game.  His 56.1% career shooting percentage is the school’s second best.  Hitting 608 field goals and 235 free-throws, Joe finished as a Top Ten scorer with 1453 career points.  The big man was also a force on defense, pulling down 877 rebounds (9.8 per game), including a single-game record 21 in a 1988 victory over Concordia.  Twice named Team Captain and a four-time All-Conference selection, Joes’ big play led his team to two conference championships.

A big heart for the lost led Joe to travel, first with Sports Ambassadors in Columbia and El Salvador and, after graduating with degrees in marketing and Bible, to nine states plus Mexico, Zambia and Western Samoa.  Joe’s biggest shots now help make a winning home team with wife Nicole, and their three children.