From All-American to caring coach
Alumni athlete and high school coach Mike McGee is recognized for his humanitarian efforts and inspiring young athletes both on and off the field.
By Dalya Qualls
A record 1,920 nominations came pouring in for USA Weekend magazine's 2008 "Most Caring Coach" search. Many were not surprised to hear that Mike McGee '82 was chosen for the award that was also given to two other coaches. Among the judges were Arizona Cardinals ' Ken Whisenhunt and Colorado Rockies' Clint Hurdle. The three winners received $1,000 for their team or favorite charity and were honored at the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, this past June.
McGee made marks on the basketball teams for both Colby College (1977-79) and Clark University (1980-82). A 1979 All-American, he still sits 12th on the all-time scoring list for Colby. In 1981, he helped the Cougars to a pair of NCAA Tournament games, including an NCAA Northeast Championship and national quarterfinal trip in 1981.
Relationships vs. championships Fast-forward 27 years later and the Fairfield, Maine, native is now the head varsity boy 's basketball coach for his alma mater Lawrence High School, where he has guided the team to two state titles and six Eastern Maine Championships. But as USA Weekend and so many others have discovered, McGee believes sports are more about relationships than championships.
"Every year I hold a spot on my bench for one, two or even three kids with special needs, " says McGee, a 24-year veteran coach at Lawrence, giving him the longest standing tenure in one place of any coach in Maine. "All of these kids inspire me to do great things; most of them can't play sports."
"We live in an era where parents complain about playing time and shots not taken," he adds, "and then we have these kids to our right and left where just getting out of bed every morning is a difficult challenge. We don 't realize how lucky we are."
Inspired by his second daughter Michaella, 18, who was born with developmental delays and special needs, McGee genuinely has a special place in his heart for mentally and physically handicapped children.
"Everyone says that I'm always smiling and I always have a positive attitude," he explains, "and it comes from Michaella. She can't speak, she babbles; just taking a step is difficult for her. I have no right to complain. She's my inspiration."
McGee's rearing—son of a legendary football coach and athletic director at Colby and grandson of a coach from the 1920 's NFL Providence Steamroller —certainly contributed to the leadership he demonstrates to all of his players.
Wally Halas '73, who directed Clark's men's basketball program for 13 seasons, happened to spot the article on his former player while thumbing through the retail ads one morning. "I ran across ‘Most Caring Coaches' and saw Mike McGee's name," he recalls. "I was thrilled. But after reflecting on it, I wasn't that surprised. Mike's goodness comes from his family. His parents instilled great values in him, and he always had time for people. "
In an interview for the USA Weekend award, Elon Firmage, McGee's assistant for the past 10 years, said, "He has tremendous patience that he shows to those (special needs) kids, and that transfers over to the players. "
Halas and former assistant men's basketball coach Duane Corriveau '64, both members of Clark's Athletic Hall of Fame, also played a role in McGee's philosophy on sports and life. He says they preached the importance of everyone on the team: the managers, custodians, athletic trainers and announcers. No one person is more important than the next.
Deserving leaderMcGee has now become a local celebrity of sorts. He has received calls for photo shoots and travel arrangements; a congratulatory wish from the president of USA Weekend magazine; a presentation from a Washington, D.C. representative in front of his school and townspeople; and a chance to mingle with professional athletes at the Humanitarian Award ceremony.
"Mike deserves everything he's getting," says former Clark roommate and teammate Bruce Bolcer '81, M.B.A. '83. "He loves to coach, loves to stay involved and loves to be a leader to his kids."
"I've been coaching for many years now, and you get a Coach of the Year award and say ‘this is great,' and then find a place to put it," McGee quips. "I thought this was the same thing, but it kept getting bigger and bigger. I started to get e-mails from around the country. It was amazing. "
Although surprised by this entire experience (a group of parents nominated him), McGee applauds USA Weekend for looking beyond wins and losses when choosing award recipients. He says, "Coaches put in 16-17 hour days during the season, most of the time doing a lot of things behind the scenes. "
McGee could have kept the $1,000 winnings for his team. Instead, he donated it to the Fairfield Police Athletic League (P.A.L.) – a nonprofit recreation program in town. "I wanted to give back to a program that has brought so many athletes into high school to play for me, " he says. Those who know McGee were not surprised.
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