Deguire Dynasty
By Chris Gionta
Photography by Chris Gionta and The Deguire Family
Kevin and Michele Deguire knew what their parental duties would entail as soon as their firstborn son, Ryan, uttered his first words. “Ryan’s first word was ‘ball’,” Michele said. “[Kevin and Ryan] played these crazy football games in the living room — just the two of them — and [Ryan] could barely walk, and they were playing football, throwing a ball and whatever he could get him doing.” Ryan and his younger twin siblings, Hailey and Jake, would each go on to etch their names into Mohonasen High School record books, and eventually brought their athletic prowess to Springfield College. Before they reached the college level, each of them found their respective athletic identities in their younger years, and did not have to look far for athletic influence. Observing Ryan and Kevin’s affection for football, Jake, who is four years younger than Ryan, was attracted to the game as well. “I think one of the most important and most influential things for [Ryan and Jake] was going to Kevin’s flag football games,” Michele said. “They grew up right on the sideline with all the big guys, and they talk about it to this day — that was something that was very memorable to them.” Ryan and Jake certainly did not limit their athletic endeavors to the gridiron. The oldest brother played baseball and basketball along with football all the way through high school. Jake also played football, baseball and basketball at a young age, and additionally grew an affinity for wrestling. He eventually stopped playing basketball at around the age of 12 because of its inter-
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