Kadir Donmez arrived in the United States on January 15, 1978, from Istanbul, Turkey, at age seventeen.

It’s interesting to note Donmez only played prep soccer as a tenth grader at Menchville High School in Newport News, Va.  Donmez moved to Durham, N.C., as a junior but his high school didn’t offer soccer that season and he was above the required age to play as a senior.

However, Donmez’s tenth-grade coach at Menchville was able to secure a tryout with A.C.C./Barton’s Head Men’s Soccer Coach David Adkins and Assistant Mike Smith.  They liked what they saw and offered Donmez a scholarship to attend Atlantic Christian College (Barton).

“I had an instant family my first day at A.C.C.,” said Donmez.  “My teammates and coaches gelled immediately.  For a young man away from home, mom, dad and brothers, that was huge.  We hang out together all the time, they were like my brothers and my family.”

During his career as a Bulldog, Donmez was a member of four NAIA District 26 Championship Teams (1980-83) and the 1981 Conference Carolinas Championship squad.

As a junior, Donmez earned all-league and honorable mention NAIA All-District 26 accolades.  All told, Donmez led Atlantic Christian (Barton) to 43 wins over a four-year period.

Donmez, a Dean’s List member, graduated from A.C.C. in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a minor in mathematics before moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he earned a graduate scholarship and fellowship from the ALCA association to attend the University of Cincinnati. 

Donmez then finished his Master of Science Degree from UC and started his career in Greenville, S.C. 

Donmez returned to the University of Cincinnati where he’s been working as a Research Scientist and a member of the faculty for the past 30 years.

“I chose Barton first and foremost because of the scholarship offer to attend the school,” said Donmez. “I did not have the money to attend Atlantic Christian.  Second, I knew the school offered low professor-to-student ratio and the Chemistry Department was strong with Dr. Kilgor who just arrived from Duke.”

Donmez also noted some of the keys to his success as a student-athlete.  “I believe the school had great professors – Dr. Kilgore and Dr. Sharp come to mind – and I had friendships that endured.  We were generally happy with our surroundings.  The people at the school were also extremely nice.”

Donmez and his wife of 33 years, have two children (one boy and one girl). Donmez met his wife when she was a researcher at the same department he was attending.  Donmez is a native of Eregli, Konya, Turkey.

“I want to thank Coach Adkins and Coach Smith for recruiting me and offering me a scholarship,” said Donmez.  “I also want to thank my roommate, Sharhabil Humeaida, and my teammates for being there for each other during those four years.  I would finally like to thank my best friend and strongest supporter:  my wife, Lisa.”