Tennessee Tech’s first Academic All-America selection enjoyed a record-setting playing career as an outfielder under coach David Mays from 1973-77. Several of the numbers Canary produced during his four seasons are still listed among the leaders in the Tech record book. Even at a distance, the Nashville native remained close to the baseball program by creating and heading up the Baseball Alumni Chapter, then returned to his alma mater as assistant baseball coach and athletics fund raiser in 1993.

As a player, Canary started all four seasons and batted over .300 each year. As a freshman, he batted .327 and led the team in hitting. As a sophomore, he batted .305 and was second (behind 1996 Hall of Fame inductee Mike Winchester) in four offensive categories.

As a junior, Canary led the team in hitting with a .429 average in 1976, setting several school and conference records. He was 5-for-5 in one game, setting the school mark for most hits in a game. That spring he was named all-South region, and named GTE first-team Academic All-America. As a senior, he batted .303 and led the team in doubles.

When his playing career ended, Donley had set the school career records for most walks (134), runs scored (113), hits (155) and games played (164), and he ranked as the second-toughest to strike out. At the time of his induction, Canary still ranked as the record-holder for most walks, and was top-15 in batting average, games, at bats, hits, walks, runs scored, and toughest to strike out.  

Donley graduated from Tech in 1978 with a degree in agriculture, and added a master’s degree from Tennessee in 1980.

Canary founded the Baseball Alumni Chapter in 1986, and served as its president for eight years. His fund-raising efforts, first through the alumni chapter then as assistant baseball coach, helped build a new team clubhouse at Quillen Field, add a new outfield fence, an irrigation system, and lights to the facility.