McDonogh’s Mickey Deegan selected as 2024 Athletic Director of the Year

By Nelson Coffin
nelson@iaamsports.com

Mickey Deegan is no stranger to winning the respect of her peers and a slew of awards during a stellar 37-year career as the McDonogh School athletic director

After all, Deegan was just named the 2024 Athletic Director of the Year for District X  — the fourth time she was selected for that honor — after garnering the Brenda Gelston Leadership Award in October.

Her previous Athletic Director of the Year awards came in 1998, 2002 and 2006.

Unless something crazy happens, Deegan will not win another AD award because she is retiring in June after decades of meritorious service to McDonogh and the league in many capacities, including being the IAAM President in its formative years.

“I just turned 70 in August,” Deegan said. “So it’s time. But I am so grateful for my colleagues and  for four heads of schools who have helped our athletic teams succeed.”

She also harkened back to the days when she was one of the “five amigos,” fellow AD’s who were also mainstays in the early days of the IAAM.

Lois Miller (Roland Park Country School), Mary Bartel (Notre Dame Prep), Terry Moeser (Maryvale) and Mary Ella Marion (Mercy) were all members of the group which helped the league take its first steps.

Deegan is quick to point out that the new generation of IAAM ADs are more than capable of maintaining the IAAM’s core values of athletes showing respect for the sport, coaches, officials, themselves and opponents.

“I feel like I’m leaving the league in a good place,” she said. “It’s time for some of the young pups to take over.”

Although McDonogh teams have won plenty of championships in a variety of sports during her tenure, Deegan said that “You can’t win every game, but you learn from a loss and get better. Then you have a chance to make a better outcome.”

She added that winning her fourth Athletic Director of the Year award is satisfying in a major way.

“You think that you’re doing a good job,” she said. “But it’s nice to be acknowledged.”

Deegan will be presented with the award at the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association annual conference in Ocean City in April.

Mount de Sales Academy AD Eric Dummann is one of many Deegan admirers.

“Mickey’s character has always been elite,” he said. “She has provided countless hours of guidance and friendship to all of her colleagues.”

IAAM executive director Sue Thompson is also a Deegan fan.

“There is such respect and admiration for this champion of young women in sport and competition,” Thompson said. “In addition to what Mickey has accomplished at McDonogh, as an athletic administrator and teacher, she has given so much of her time, energy, and expertise to the IAAM over these decades.

“She has served in every capacity within the IAAM, from coach to league president. Mickey is the ultimate host, offering McDonogh as a championship site for swimming, tennis, track and field. Colleagues across the league do not hesitate to pick up the phone to ask Mickey for guidance and feedback when situations arise. The job of an athletic director is not an easy one, it’s a delicate balance of heart and head, something that Mickey does very well.”