Mickey Deegan: A Legendary Career Rooted in Sportsmanship

After 37 extraordinary years of service, Co-Athletic Director Mickey Deegan, affectionately known as McDonogh’s Silver Eagle, will retire in June. A humble and steadfast leader, Deegan has devoted herself wholeheartedly to the McDonogh community as a teacher, coach, and administrator— imparting wisdom, humor, and inspiration every step of the way.

Throughout her career, Deegan has earned an array of accolades, including multiple Coach of the Year honors, Maryland Athletic Director of the Year, and Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland (IAAM) Athletic Director of the Year (four times!). She also received the IAAM’s prestigious Brenda Gelston Leadership Award and, in 2019, was celebrated with McDonogh’s Distinguished Service Award—a testament to her incredible contributions to the School community.

While these awards and titles are indeed impressive and well-deserved, Deegan’s true impact lies in her unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of sportsmanship and integrity. This dedication has left an enduring imprint on generations of students, athletes, coaches, and colleagues.

As Deegan prepares to spread her wings and embark on her next chapter, she reflects on her journey and leaves us with parting words of wisdom in this Q&A.

Throughout your remarkable career as a teacher, coach, and administrator, you've profoundly influenced the lives of countless students. What inspired you to dedicate your life to education?

I was deeply inspired by the passionate and dedicated teachers I encountered in my high school English, history, and art classes. Their ability to create a sense of “magic” and connect with young people in the classroom ignited my desire to follow in their footsteps. I thought, “I want to be that person.” My coaches had a similar impact on me, and because of them, coaching has also been a significant part of my journey.

Tell us about your unique career path.

I began my career in education in Philadelphia at just 18 years old. My first class consisted of 41 energetic third graders, and I quickly realized that if I could survive that year, I could teach for a lifetime. At 21, I entered the convent and became a Sister of Mercy, dedicating 13 fulfilling years to teaching in Pennsylvania and Virginia. After leaving religious life, I found my way to McDonogh in 1988, and as the saying goes, “The rest is history!”

Looking back, I am deeply grateful. The young people I’ve worked with not only grew under my guidance, but they profoundly influenced me—helping me become a better person. Teaching and coaching have been both an honor and a joy, and I cherish the journey wholeheartedly.

Do you have a role model who influenced your approach to leadership?

Absolutely—[former Athletic Director] Jack MacMullan. He taught me invaluable lessons about how to “coach” coaches. Jack’s approach was rooted in relationships: build trust, remain loyal, and support the heck out of each coach. He prioritized daily conversations with coaches, ensuring they knew he cared about them and their families.

Jack also showed me the importance of being visible, vulnerable, and honest. He often said, “Let them know you don’t have all the answers but will try and get them.” Jack’s philosophy was simple: if you lead with care and conviction, you will win them over and they will go to war with you.

You are highly respected for emphasizing sportsmanship and positive behavior over winning. Why is that so important to you?

In high school, I learned this lesson the hard way. During a championship basketball game, an opposing player elbowed me repeatedly while I was taking shots. By the fourth time, I lost my temper and retaliated with a punch. The referee immediately tossed me out of the game.

I was mortified—my parents were in the stands, my coach and teammates were furious, and we lost the game. That moment stuck with me. I promised myself moving forward that I would maintain better selfcontrol. Ernest Hemingway’s idea of “grace under pressure” became my mantra.

Fifty years later, I still cringe when I see poor sportsmanship or disrespect between players and coaches at any level. At McDonogh, I set the bar high for good sportsmanship and exemplary behavior. On the rare occasion when a player or coach falls short, we have honest conversations about how to do better. It works most of the time!

How does school spirit impact the success and culture of McDonogh's athletic programs?

McDonogh’s school spirit is contagious and palpable. When athletes support one another, magic happens. Our players thrive with a lively audience, and our coaches actively encourage this camaraderie. There is nothing like seeing football players, exhausted from practice, file into the gym to cheer on the volleyball team. The energy in the room shifts instantly, and the players feed off the crowd’s enthusiasm. It’s very cool!

Of course, McDonogh’s annual Spirit Parade is the pinnacle of school spirit. It’s a celebration of unity where the whole school comes together—the drum corps leading the way, lower schoolers wearing eagle masks, seniors chauffeuring young students in golf carts, and a sea of fans decked out in orange and black cheering on all our teams. Moments like these make me proud to be part of the McDonogh Family.

How have McDonogh's athletic programs evolved over the years, and what changes have had the greatest impact?

Our athletics program has grown immensely. In the 1990s, every Upper School student was required to play two or three seasons of sports. While that’s no longer mandatory, students still choose to participate because they want to be part of something bigger. We’ve also made significant investments in our facilities. The RollinsLuetkemeyer Athletic Center, the Rosenberg Aquatics Center, Dixon Turf Field, and the Dutch Eyth Baseball Field have all elevated our programs. The track and tennis courts have been resurfaced at least three times, and our grass fields are the envy of the league.

I love all our teams, but I am very proud of how the girls’ sports programs have flourished. Since 1989, McDonogh has won 218 championships, and 126 of those crowns belong to our girls’ teams!

Can you share a standout moment from your career that reflects McDonogh's mission and values?

One moment that stands out is September 11, 2001. As President of the IAAM, I was leading an Athletic Directors’ meeting when news broke that airplanes had hit the twin towers in New York City. We immediately adjourned, knowing we needed to return to our school communities to provide support.

That day reminded me of the deeper lessons athletics teach us: teamwork, resilience, and selflessness. Watching first responders work together amidst chaos was a powerful reminder of what it means to act unselfishly and with purpose—values we strive to instill in our athletes.

Another unforgettable moment was my final McDonogh vs. Gilman football game as Co-Athletic Director. Standing before both teams after the game, it was a privilege to emphasize the core values of sportsmanship: playing with integrity, passion, and respect. I reminded them that this storied rivalry is about more than competition—it’s an opportunity to inspire and bring out the very best in one another. That, above all, is the most important lesson sports can teach us.

Looking back, what accomplishment makes you most proud?

I’m incredibly proud of the Oliver-MacMullan Internship Program. For nearly 20 years, veteran teachers and coaches mentored recent college graduates, helping them to learn their subject matter in the classroom and get their feet wet coaching three seasons. The goal was to nurture the love of teaching and coaching, hoping these interns would find a full-time teaching position or, better yet, return to “the Nest” one day to teach and coach. Many, like Hakeem Sule ’05, Bruce Moore ’16, and James Margraff ’16, are here today, continuing the cycle of excellence.

I am also proud that many alums—many I knew and taught—returned to assist in coaching our teams. Seeing former students give back to their alma mater is deeply rewarding to me.

As you retire, what advice would you give McDonogh's student athletes and coaches?

Respect yourself, your teammates, your coaches, and your opponents. There’s a reason our uniforms don’t have individual names: When you wear “McDonogh” embroidered across your heart, you represent something bigger than yourself.

Represent your school with honor. Win with humility, lose with grace, and always play with integrity. We are Eagles for a reason—they strive for excellence, soar to new heights, and are tenacious. My favorite word is “resilient.” Life will knock you down sometimes, but I have always told students, don’t sit in a corner and whine. Get up, brush the dirt off, bounce back, and give 100% to each endeavor. You will never regret it.

Thank you, McDonogh! I won’t be on the sidelines anymore, but I will be back to cheer for our teams.

—Nina Sinnott