Donald E. Grace
- Born
- Livingston, TX
- High School
- Houston Wheatley
- College
- Prairie View A&M
- Coaching Record
- Carter G. Woodson - Football 27-13-2
- Titles
- 1 State playoff, 1 State runner-up
- Coaching Record
- James Madison - Football 80-67-4
- Titles
- 6 City, 2 District, 2 State Runner-up
- PVILCA Inductee Class
- 1983
- Inductor
- Sport
Donald E. Grace was born in Livingston, Texas but at an early age, his family moved to Houston, Texas. Donald attended Phillis Wheatley High School and became a two-sport letterman. He was selected All-City guard in 1946 and 1947, and All District guard in 1947.
After graduation, he received a football scholarship to attend Prairie View A&M College in Prairie View, Texas. There he became All Conference, All American guard in 1950 and 1951; co-captain of the 1951 Southwestern Conference championship team; plus he lettered four years in football and three years in track.
In 1952, Donald's career began as head football coach at Carter G. Woodson High School, in Abilene, Texas. He guided Woodson High to state play-offs in 1953 and again in 1954. His 1953 team was class AA State runner-up with only eighteen players. He compiled a four year record of 27-13-2.
In 1956, Grace moved to Dallas, Texas where he accepted the honor of head football coach at James Madison High School. There he posted a record of 80-67-4 including 6 city, 2 district, and 2 state runner-up championships.
In 1964, during the Prairie View Coaching Clinic, under the leadership of Grace, a group of coaches, numbering about 75, organized the Lone Star Coaches Association (L.S.C.A.). Grace was elected president and again in 1965.
The L.S.C.A. sponsors the Summer Classic East-West All Star Football and Basketball games and honors coaches and other individuals who have made a definite contribution to athletics and work in conjunction with the Prairie View Coaching Clinic.
The L.S.C.A. sponsored the fourth and fifth East-West All Star games in Houston, Texas in 1965 and 1966. The All-Star players consisted of outstanding athletes from the Prairie View Interscholastic League. Grace was selected to coach the West football squad in the 1965 All Star games.
Grace has three children from a former marriage; Andrea Lynn, Danta Eldon, and Glenda Kay Grace.
Donald is presently employed as Associate Dean at Austin Community College, Austin, Texas.