Kathy (Lane) McDonald's first involvement with York was as coach of the men's and women's swimming and diving teams in 1969-70. The following year, she continued to coach the men's and women's diving team before enrolling at York as a physical education student in 1971. From 1971 to 1975, she was one of the most outstanding interuniversity divers in Canada. She captured both the one-metre and three-metre titles at the OWIAA diving meets in 1971-72, 1972-73 and 1973-74, and placed second in both events in 1974-75. For four years, McDonald qualified for the CWIAU diving championships, finishing second in both the one-metre and three-metre in 1972-73 and placing third and second, respectively, in these events in 1973-74. She was York's female athlete of the year in 1971-72.
