Red MacDonald’s athletic career began as a freshman at Medford High School in 1925. As a freshman, he earned a letter in basketball. His sophomore year he lettered in football and basketball. Medford was in the state basketball tournament that year, but lost their first game to Eugene, and ended up playing three games in one day to win third place. As a junior, Red again earned letters in football and basketball. The team lost the state basketball championship in double overtime to Washington High School of Portland, and Red was selected to the All-State team. He lettered again in football and basketball as a senior, and this time Medford won the state basketball championship.

As a starting end on the football team, 1926-27, 1927-28, and 1928-29, Medford went undefeated. Medford was called the Mythical State Champs in football those years because there were no organized championship playoffs during that time.

Red continued his athletic career at Oregon State College. His freshman year he earned his numerals in football, basketball, and baseball. As a sophomore he played football only, and as a junior he earned letters in both football and basketball.1933, Red’s senior year, was a big one for Oregon State as their basketball team became Pacific Coast Champions for the FIRST time in the school’s history. It was also Coach Slats Gill’s first championship. Red was a starting guard on that team. During the 1933-34 basketball season, he set the Oregon State “lronman” record that has never been equaled. In 16 northern division games he played 618 minutes of 640 possible for an average of 38.63 minutes per game, Also, Red was selected All-Northern Division Guard that year.

In the 30’s players were only allowed four personal fouls per game, and Red is proud of the fact that in his three years of varsity basketball at Oregon State, he never fouled out of a game.