Donna Eshleman '82 is one of seven inductees for the 2025 Millersville Athletics Hall of Fame class. Millersvilleathletics.com is featuring each of the inductees in a series of spotlight stories. The entire class will be recognized at a ceremony on Oct. 3 as part of Millersville’s Homecoming weekend. Click here to view the Millersville Athletics Hall of Fame.
As a student-athlete, coach, and staff member, Donna Eshleman was synonymous with Millersville athletics for 40 years. A two-sport athlete in basketball and softball, Eshleman played a key role in building women’s athletics at Millersville, playing shortstop on the University’s first softball team and serving as captain of a record-setting team on the basketball court. Shortly after graduation, Eshleman returned to Millersville, beginning a 36-year tenure as equipment manager in athletic operations, dedicating her professional career to serving generations of student-athletes.
Eshleman’s behind-the-scenes work in athletic operations was tireless and often underappreciated, but she was a constant. She made a positive difference in the student-athlete experience by setting up for game days, working as a liaison for game officials and visiting teams, ordering equipment, washing, organizing, and purchasing practice gear and game uniforms. Through this role, she connected with countless student-athletes who appreciated her organization, work ethic and dedication.
Eshleman first arrived at Millersville in 1978 as a student-athlete and worked as a student assistant in the athletic department under the director of women’s athletics, Marge Trout. She was a four-year starter in both softball and basketball. Eshleman was part of a team that bridged eras in women’s athletics, as three of her four seasons were played without a PSAC Tournament. As a senior, she helped the Marauders to a program-record 20 victories, an AIAW regional championship, and allowed Millersville to host four games in the AIAW National Tournament. In the 1981-82 season, Eshleman ranked second in scoring with 12.5 points per game and led the team with 88 steals. She was selected to the Grove City Christmas All-Tournament Team and voted the team’s best defensive player by her teammates. In 2010, Eshleman was named to the program’s All-75th season team.
As a softball player, Eshleman helped Millersville to winning seasons in each of the first three years as a program. She took over as head coach in 1984 and produced three more winning seasons from 1984-87. She ranks second all-time in winning percentage.
