Portland State University has always been a breeding ground for outstanding athletic talent, and now some of its most accomplished alumni are returning to contribute in a new way.
        
There are many ways to judge the quality of experience student athletes have during their years in a specific athletic program.  One of those is the number who decide to return and work for their alma mater.
        
"We have a number of student-athletes who have returned to PSU as coaches or in athletic administrative capacities and that shows that they liked their experience enough here that they wanted to come back after graduation," said Associate Athletics Director Mike Lund.
       
The nearly 20 coaches and staff members who are alums currently working are a testament to the experience these people had at Portland State and should be a good indication to anyone considering coming here of the value as athletes and students that's intrinsic in the PSU experience, he added.
      
"These are people who want to give back to the institution and to help others have the same quality experience they had," said Lund.
        
He pointed to four current athletic administrative staff members as good examples of people wanting to help younger athletes have the same fun and productive experience they had.
      
Paige Donathan, Malik Thirdgill, Tyson Pauling and Olivia Dean—once student athletes who wore PSU colors with pride—have returned to the university to work within the athletic department, bringing their unique experiences and insights to empower the next generation of Vikings.
      
Donathan, a former soccer star (2017-2020), donned the PSU jersey as a dynamic forward, leading her team in goals during her senior year. Her journey to PSU was spurred by a desire to remain in the Pacific Northwest and participate in a strong collegiate soccer program. Throughout her athletic career, adversity taught her valuable lessons in resilience.
    
"I was recruited as a defender and played that position until injuries restricted me from consistently playing 90 minutes. But, I wanted to make a difference on the field, so I transitioned to forward my senior season. Adapting to change is what defined my time here, and it shaped the way I want to support future athletes," Donathan said.
       
Now, as an Athletic Academic Advisor to women's soccer, women's softball and men's basketball, she is committed to fostering the same spirit of perseverance among current student athletes.
     
"I enjoy the constant interaction with the student-athletes I oversee," she said. "Seeing their growth throughout the years, both academically and athletically, is amazing."
      
Donathan's involvement as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) also has equipped her to advocate for the athletes she now mentors.
       
Her athletic academic advisor left a positive impact on her life. "I remember not knowing exactly what I wanted to do after graduation with my Masters and telling my family it would be really cool to do what my athletic academic advisor did," Donathan said.
       
"The thing that interested me the most was the ability to encourage, support and cheer on the student-athletes in the classroom and on the field, court or track. You have the power to positively impact these athletes during their student-athlete experience at PSU," she said.
       
"I enjoy the constant interaction with the student-athletes I oversee. Seeing the growth throughout the years academically and athletically is amazing. I am part of their support team and in a position to advocate for them throughout their student-athlete experience here. Assisting athletes to discover their passions academically and professionally is very rewarding," said Donathan.
     
Thirdgill, a tight end for the PSU football team from 2018 to 2022, shares a similar belief in giving back to the program he once trained in. Thirdgill felt PSU was a great school to build on the connections he had already made as a native Portlander who prepped at Central Catholic High School.
     
"I ended up at Portland State because I felt like this was a good school to be able to build on my connections," he said. "I loved my time at Portland State. I was able to grow individually, athletically, professionally and educationally. As I hung up my cleats and moved on in life, I've been able to focus on sharing the environment that helped me become the person I am today and I'm able to share what college athletics has to offer to youth programs and organizations."
     
As Director of Ticket Sales and Service, Thirdgill said he sees the impact he can have on sports from a different angle.
     
He enjoys "the day-to-day interactions with campus partners and athletic staff and being able to collaborate with campus partners and outside organizations to find a way that athletes can contribute and help their mission, is by far the best part of my job."
     
Pauling and Dean round out this impressive group of returning athletic alumni, both of whom have brought their own experiences and expertise to the athletic department.
       
Pauling, a standout offensive lineman from 2018-2022, joined the Viking program out of Victorville, CA. He enjoyed his PSU experience on and off the field, especially upsetting the University of Montana on a 52-yard field goal in 2018 and Eastern Washington in 2022 on their home turf.
    
"I liked that PSU is in the heart of downtown Portland and that there is so much to do. Coming from Victorville, CA, sort of in the middle of nowhere, I had many opportunities right in the palm of my hand in Portland," he said.
     
As Compliance Coordinator, Pauling said "there is something very special about being able to come back into this building (Stott Center) because it still feels like I am still going to work as a student-athlete.  My biggest thing is giving back to PSU because there was so much that was given to me from this athletic department…it will always have a special place in my heart." 
     
His Portland State student experience "gave me growth in my football career and the opportunity to play with the Calgary Stampeders. It gave me the growth academically enabling me to walk out of here with a Master's degree and it gave me growth within the friendships that will last a lifetime. Those are the things that drew me back here."
      
He said the "impact I have when I am able to have conversations with some of our student-athletes is what I enjoy most because I was once standing in the same spot they are now. I like working with the staff here because I see the time and effort that goes toward making sure our student-athletes succeed at the highest level."
       
Dean, an All-Big Sky Conference selection as shortstop on PSU's women's softball team (2021-2023), transitioned from player to assistant coach for PSU Softball Head Coach Meadow McWhorter.
      
"I knew that I wanted a career in athletics because it has always been a passion of mine, so when Coach Meadow asked me to come on as a volunteer coach last year, it was a no-brainer," she recalled.
     
Dean was also working in game operations while coaching and soon moved into a role as assistant director of operations.
    
"What interests me the most is the ability to be hands-on with every sport. I've learned to respect what goes into running a game and the support it takes to be a successful athlete," Dean said.
       
Coming back (well, never really going away), has been a perfect fit. "I love that it feels like home. I've been here for almost five years now. Throughout my time as an athlete, I made so many wonderful connections, from coaching staff to friends and now great coworkers.  It has been important during my transition into the workforce to feel so welcomed in a career right out of college. The PSU staff was immediately there for me," said Dean.
     
The collective experiences of Donathan, Thirdgill, Pauling and Dean create a powerful network of support within the athletic department. All four alumni share a profound understanding of the challenges and triumphs that student athletes face, and they are uniquely positioned to guide and advocate for them.
      
"Our goal is to create an atmosphere where student athletes feel empowered to pursue their dreams, both on the field and in the classroom," Donathan said.
     
With their backgrounds in athletics, they are keenly aware of the pressures that accompany being a student-athlete and are dedicated to providing tailored support to help current Vikings overcome those challenges. This new wave of leadership at PSU symbolizes a bright future for the university's athletic programs.
      
Donathan and her colleagues bring not just their experiences, but a shared passion for uplifting the student-athlete community.
     
As these four returnees – and a number of other Viking alums on staff - leave their mark on the PSU athletic landscape, their stories serve as a reminder of the potential that lies within every student-athlete. They embody the spirit of perseverance, community and mentorship that PSU instills. With a commitment to equity, inclusion and support, PSU's returning alumni—both administrative and in coaching---aim to uplift and guide the next generation of athletes.
     
Their journey back to PSU is not just a homecoming—it's a mission to empower young athletes to achieve their dreams, carry forward the legacy of PSU, and create a lasting positive impact on the university community. As they strive to make a difference, the future looks promising for PSU athletics, backed by a team of dedicated alumni who understand the heart and hustle required to succeed in both sports and life.