THE DERRYFIELD SCHOOL
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Lenny McCaigue alk into Athletic Director Lenny McCaigue’s office and your eyes are drawn to a photo of him shaking hands with President Bill Clinton. Lenny is wear‑ ing his official jacket from the 1996 Olympics where he coached Team USA Men’s Field Hockey. Should you ask him about his time with the Olympics, his eyes sparkle and he exudes excite‑ ment as he is taken back 13 years. He can still feel the thrill of walking out onto the field with Olympic stars like Carl Lewis who holds nine gold medals in track and field. He can still see Muhammad Ali postured at the peak of Olympic Stadium in Atlanta, lighting the torch to thunderous applause and watery eyes. He still feels the pride of representing the United States of America in the world’s most compelling athletic games. Lenny’s story is one of dreams com‑ ing true. After teaching and coaching Irish national teams in his homeland for over ten years, Lenny’s aspirations turned to the international forum. Wanting to devote his attention to coaching full‑time, he accepted a posi‑ tion at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg where he split his time even‑ ly between coaching college and
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provincial field hockey. It wasn’t long before Coach McCaigue was coaching the Canadian women’s team. Keeping contact with his club team players pro‑ vided an opportunity to guest coach for Team USA’s men’s team and, fol‑ lowing a world search, in 1992 Lenny was hired to prepare the U.S. team for the 1996 Olympics. Having been recently married to the ever‑supportive Sarah McCaigue, Lenny moved to the Olympic training center in San Diego for 18 months of intense training, leaving his marriage to survive through monthly visits. Although the team didn’t win a medal in 1996 (men’s field hockey is not one of the more popular sports in the United States), they placed 12th from an original field of over 100 countries. They did, however, win a Bronze Medal in the Argentine Pan American games the year prior. Time moves on and careers of our youth settle into those from which we envision retiring one day. As luck would have it, Lenny’s decision to remain in the United States and subse‑ quently become a citizen yielded an athletic director of Olympic magnitude for The Derryfield School. When asked what it was about Derryfield that sent
Mr. McCaigue in the gymnasium.
him in our direction, Lenny doesn’t hesitate. It’s the value that the School places on athletics. Athletics is a gradu‑ ation requirement, unlike at many other educational institutions. It is the fact that our mission statement demands inspiring excellence and supports aiming high and maintaining balance for each student. It is the fact that Derryfield is committed to educat‑ ing the whole child via a first‑class cur‑ riculum, strong athletics, and enviable opportunities in the arts. Whatever brought you here, Lenny, we are fortunate to have you and your expertise in our corner of the world! —Diane Allen
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