Published October 30, 2018 in Summit Magazine
Dr. Donald F. Davis Jr. (’01) leads a one-million-square-foot school where more than 1,000 students are enrolled in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Once a Defender men’s basketball player, Davis coached varsity basketball for 16 years, winning the “Coach of the Year” title multiple times. Following time as athletic director and assistant head of school, he’s now in his second year as head of school at Second Baptist School in Houston, Texas.
The school, a ministry of Second Baptist Church, is described by Davis as “a premier Christian school with a compelling passion and mission,” Second Baptist School will become the first school in Houston to send experiments to the International Space Station later this year.
Davis serves alongside other CSU alumni, both former Defender athletes, at SBS. Jon Konzelman (’07) is head of Upper School, and Mike Walker (’01) is director of athletics.
“At each school I have worked at I have surrounded myself with CSU alumni,” Davis says. “There is something special about graduates of CSU. They have a love of Christ, a strong biblical worldview and desire to serve that makes them extremely effective.”
Davis earned his bachelor’s degree in Bible and Physical Education and Health from CSU before completing his master’s degree from California University of PA and Ph.D. from Johnson University. He says the “wonderful biblical foundation” he received at CSU has been what he’s built his leadership upon. “Having a biblical worldview is so powerful today,” he asserts. “CSU helped me develop a strong understanding of God’s Word which informs my leadership and decision making on a daily basis.” He says the residence halls, classrooms, chapels, meals—and especially time on the basketball court—all helped him learn a love and awe for God and care for others.
Davis and his wife Jessica (Martin, ’01) have three children.
“ I contribute my desire to coach and build into young people’s lives to my time at CSU and the relationship I had with Coach Mike Show,” Davis explains. “There is no better example of servant leadership. Show didn’t just care about us as athletes; he cared about training us to be godly leaders that would lead ourselves, lead our families, lead ministries for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. I would not be the man I am today if it were not for Coach Mike Show and my time at CSU.”
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