The head cat of Mayfield High

Donny Rodel is a Mayfield institution, he was born and raised in Mayfield. Both of his parents worked for the Mayfield High School district, he was the point guard on the state championship basketball team..He bleed Wildcat Black&Gold. Donny holds one of the most distinguished titles in Mayfield lore. "Head Cat" of the infamous Mayfield High "Cat House."

The "Cat House" was a collection of both past and present Mayfield High students. They would attend the games together and show their support for the Mayfield High Wildcats. Donny was the leader of the pack and he was cool..Donny was so dedicated to the Mayfield High spirit that he would often show up in his old letter jacket from high school. The jacket had grown a little snug on Donny, but he still looked good in it. Donny solidified his legend on a cold February night in Dopeyville. It was the last league game and the championship was at stake..Whomever won this game was going to be crowned Linn County League champs..Mayfield was trailing at half-time and then it happened..

"Where's Donny?" Bob Castle asked Bert Cringle. Cringle was the #2 cat in the "Cat House" and he was responsible for making sure Donny was at the game.."Shit, I don't know where he is at..Maybe he stopped off at the tavern and lost track of time." "The second half is about to start and the Cat House needs the head cat..where is he." Castle had grown frantic and was thinking about sending out a search party to find Donny..Some one yelled "Donny" and low and behold the head cat had finally arrived.

I will never forget his entrance. He was dressed in full Wildcat regalia..Donny was sporting his letter jacket, a "Wildcat Pride" t-shirt, black&gold shoes, and a Wildcat stocking cap..The second half was about to tip-off and everyone in the auditorium was staring at the "head cat" as he made his entrance..Donny than stood in front of the "Cat House" and yelled these two words "Mayfield Pride!!" The entire "Cat House" let out a roar and you could feel the energy intensify.. The Mayfield Wildcats and their raucous crowd picked up the intensity in the second half and ended up winning the title. Donny Rodel was elected into the Mayfield High hall of fame a number of years later. Just to show you how much the "Head Cat" means to Mayfield, there is a life size statue of him in the town square...:)