September 13, 2024
Launched in 2023 as a way to celebrate MPA’s rich athletic tradition, MPA is proud to announce the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees: the 2006 State Golf Team; Beth Larson ’08, alum athlete; Daniel Ethier, teacher and coach; and Mike Scinto, teacher and coach. Please take a moment to read about Mike Scinto!
What was your greatest accomplishment in your 38 years as a coach and physical education and health teacher at MPA?
I was hired at MPA in 1987 to teach Physical Education and be the brand-new girls varsity soccer coach. My task as the varsity coach was to begin a new program that had not previously existed. It was a very exciting time and very challenging too. I was honored to be the person they chose and wanted to share my passion for the game that had meant so much to me growing up. I enjoyed working with so many students/athletes and coaches over the years that were very dedicated and put their heart and soul into the program. I worked with many great people who contributed to the success of the program from the beginning of my tenure until the end.
What is your happiest memory of your time at MPA?
Winning the Section 4 Soccer Championship in 2002 and qualifying for the state tournament! After losing some tough semi-final games the previous two years, we finally made it to the section final against a powerful Simley High School that had been pretty much unbeatable the previous two years. Our kids were super prepared and motivated for the game and we ended up winning 1-0 in a great game. It was very exciting for the team, parents, and coaches! On our bus ride home, the boys soccer team was also in the section final against St. Thomas Academy and ended up winning on penalty kicks. (We found this out because someone on our team had what was called a cell phone and got a call from her parents, who also had a son on the boys team). So, both MPA teams qualified for the state tournament which was very much a highlight for our school.
What is one piece of advice that you would share with MPA athletes?
If you want to be great at a specific sport, you have to train and practice each day like it’s a game (no days off). Because of the work they put into practice, they are fully prepared. Once the game begins, they are on “auto-pilot” because this is the way they practice each day–it truly becomes a habit for them. The best players I have ever coached have been motivated to work hard at practice to improve themselves which raises the level of their teammates too.
In what ways did the school support you during your time at MPA?
I had so much support in the early years of MPA! People like Bob Kreischer (Head of School) and Bill Henry (a parent of two in the early 90’s) really made an impression on me. Those two individuals would send me hand written notes to encourage me in those early years that were not always easy. Both were so good at seeing what we were really doing was playing beyond the scoreboard. It wasn’t about wins and losses; it was about developing relationships with students/athletes and applying the life lessons you learn through sports.
What impact do you hope you had on others at MPA?
When it comes to athletics, my hope is that all students/athletes who played for me had a fun high school sports experience in either soccer or softball. When they get older, they will probably not remember all the games they played or what their season record was, but they will remember if they had fun. My hope is that I was a positive teacher, role model, and contributor to many life lessons students/athletes learn while competing in athletics that are carried into their adult lives.
