May 14, 2026

DM Express

Here is the latest from DeMatha:

• We will hold our annual Giving Day starting Tuesday May 19 at 8 a.m. Your support is welcomed and plays a huge role in assisting DeMatha. Our theme is "Mission Possible." (Please see the epilogue for more on Giving Day.

• Neal Murphy, after 41 years of teaching and coaching at DeMatha, is retiring at the end of the school year. We are hosting a reception for Neal tonight, 5:30-7:30 p.m., in the Antler Room. (Note the new location.)

• No fee to attend but must be 21; business casual attire. Food and beverage will be provided. If you'd like to attend, please email Teresa Farrell at tfarrell@dematha.org.

• DeMatha Music wrapped up its spring concert season this week. Here's a short clip from Monday. And here's a piece on how well DeMatha musicians did in their two spring competitions.

• Thanks to DeMatha's BSU, senior Jeremy Mack and moderator Damon Austin, DeMatha collected 10 boxes of food and $2,000 to help restock the pantry for the Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, D.C. The Sisters reached out in March because, with food prices rising, their needs have increased. Thank you to all who contributed. Photo

In Memoriam:

• Jhon Ford, brother of Kevin '82.

• Zoltan Honeczy Sr., father of Zoltan Jr '84. Obituary

• Derek Minnix '97. Obituary / The family has set up a GoFundMe page for Derek's only child, Cody.

• Hugh O'Donnell, III '55. Obituary

• Allan Panganiban '83.

Stag Store Item of the Week:

• Show your DeMatha pride and your support for our troops with a classic tri-color tan camo. Available in all sizes (except 3XL), this T-shirt is a 60/40 cotton/poly blend. Get yours now while supplies last. Military and first responders get 10% off with ID. (This an everyday discount). Item of the Week

Athletics:

• The rugby team (7-1) downed Benedictine Prep, 42-10, in the MAVRC semifinals and will meet Gonzaga for the championship at George Mason University on Sunday at 3 p.m. The game will be televised on Monumental Sports Network.

• The Stags defeated the Eagles for the title last season, 22-12, but lost to them this year, 22-14.

• The championship will precede the Old Glory DC rugby match. Tickets are available here. Use promo code DEMATHA for 40% off.

• The track team will compete in the WCAC Championships on Friday and Saturday at Good Counsel High School in Olney, Md. It is expected to be a three-way battle at the top among Carroll, McNamara and DeMatha. Schedule

• The rowing team will compete in the Stotesbury Cup Regatta tomorrow and Saturday on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.

• Senior point guard Ashton "Ace" Meeks, who has committed to James Madison University and scored 1,729 career points, is featured in this Stag Spotlight Video.

Alumni:

• Kyle Savage Jr. '22 graduated from Hampton University with a degree in communications and will be working for Urban One (formerly Radio One). We admire Kyle's perseverance as both of his parents tragically died in a car crash days before his DeMatha graduation. Photo

• Dr. Mekhi Vance ‘18 graduated from Temple University on May 6 with a doctorate in physical therapy. Mekhi was a student manager at DeMatha before earning a bachelor of science in kinesiology from Penn State. More Info & Photo

• Austin Williams '19 received his master's degree in material science from Carnegie Mellon University.

• Brody Lindsey '22, a senior baseball player at Lycoming College, received a prestigious award last week for being a significant player on his team, excelling academically and exemplifying the qualities of character, courage, leadership and determination. He graduates at the program's career leader in home runs (17), RBIs (80) and slugging percentage (.595). Press Release

• On May 4, Brody closed his collegiate career by being named Landmark Conference Athlete of the Week.

• Brian Westbrook '97 was on WTOP radio this morning with Prince George's County Executive Aisha Braveboy talking about events Brian will be hosting at his horse farm in Upper Marlboro, Md., on Saturday morning as a prelude to Saturday's Preakness, which will be held in Laurel, Md., this year.

• Susan Francois '90 was one of 26 female students DeMatha accepted as seniors for the 1989-90 school year. They had attended Regina High School, which had just closed down. Today, Susan (the sister of Michael '83) is a nun with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. She was recently featured in Financial Times for working with large banks on many of their policies.

• What DeMatha luminaries from the '80s and '90s met Wednesday for a power lunch on Route 1 in the 'Ville. Click here to find out. One question: Who picked up the tab?

•  Attention 2023 and '24 grads, if you would like a copy of your yearbook, please contact Barbara Coyle (bcoyle@dematha.org) and make arrangements to pick one up at DeMatha by June 1.

Events & Miscellaneous Information:

• Have you ever wanted to visit Ireland? Charlie Kenny '68 and Tim O'Brien '77 are planning a trip to the Emerald Isle in September and would love to have you join them. The last day to sign up is June 1. Please use this link for more information, and use password Ireland2026.

• The annual Brian Gray '05 Memorial Golf Classic is Friday June 5 at Compass Pointe Golf Club in Pasadena, Md. Brian was the son of Ricky '80 (dec.) If you're interested in playing, click here and scroll down to the bottom left for the name of the event. Any questions, contact tponton@dematha.org.

• Soccer coach Dan Gill is looking for JV and freshman coaches. If interested, please contact Dan at dgill@dematha.org.

• The DeMatha Soccer Academy is offering a wide variety of camps this summer for boys and girls of all skills levels. Click here for dates, times and other information.

• Employment opportunities at DeMatha: We currently have full-time openings for a Spanish teacher, math teacher, director of marketing and communications, and director of Christian service. Link

• Communications manager Chris McManes wrote a feature story on an undefeated Laurel-based horse that will run in the Preakness Stakes this Saturday at Laurel Park.

That is all.

Thomas Ponton '78

Executive Director of Advancement

tponton@dematha.org

240-764-2222

Postscript from the Office of Advancement:

I met with Al Edwards '54 about 10 years ago. Al was a part of a group supporting Catholic education in Frederick, Md. During our meeting, Al expressed concerns whether many Catholic schools would still be around by 2025 and that only the wealthiest institutions would survive. Al has since passed on. But I'm happy to report that DeMatha is still going strong and we look forward to celebrating our 80th year starting in the fall.

DeMatha remains strong because of the support it receives from our community.

On Tuesday, we will hold our annual Giving Day, a key component in our fundraising efforts. Once again, we are asking for your support. Our goal is $100,000, and in the past our community has helped us to not only reach the goal but surpass it.

We are asking the community to support "Greatest Need," which funds everything we do! It is a direct line item in our budget, and the amount we raise factors heavily into just how successful a year we have.  

So many of you have generously answered our calls in the past. A good number of you have already given this year. But even if you have contributed, we ask that you consider, at the very least, a cursory donation on Tuesday.

If you give, think of someone like Neal Murphy, who has unselfishly given 41 years of his life to DeMatha, both teaching and coaching. As you know, Neal is retiring at the end of the academic year.  

We know full well DeMatha is not perfect and never will be. But it is a place that certainly does its best to live up to its mission of educating Faith-filled Gentlemen and Scholars.

In 1996, Jim Turk asked if I could come up with some lyrics for a school alma mater. On a cold January evening, as I was about to leave DeMatha at 11 p.m. (after having worked bingo - lol), I stood there looking at the dome light of the chapel. On my drive home, I composed these words in my head:

DeMatha stands tall in all that is true

Steeped in tradition of a cross red and blue

Built on a promise that challenges 'never'

DeMatha Today! DeMatha Forever!

Thanks again for your support! Let's see to it that DeMatha is around, not only 10 years from now, but many, many years to come.  

God Bless.

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