Mike Dea began his teaching career at St. Francis Xavier in 1966. His teaching, coaching and mentoring successes spanned over three decades. His coaching career included the following sports: football (junior and senior), basketball, track, volleyball and wrestling. Many of his coaching assignments were consecutive; football in the fall, then basketball in the winter, then track and field in the spring. As well, whatever sport required assistance at that particular time, Mike would pitch in and assist.
Mike achieved many accolades in his coaching career at St. Francis Xavier High School. A few noteworthy ones are: won five consecutive City Championships in Junior Football; named Urban Coach of the Year in 1977; became President of the High School Football Coaches' Association. Mike was very proud of the fact that during many of his successful coaching years, St. Francis Xavier had a population of only four to five hundred students and competed against many larger schools without any hesitation.
Interestingly enough, with all of Mike's successes at St. Francis Xavier High School, he was most proud of coaching his son Doug and Grandson Marc, as well as his best friend's son, Pat Kochorek. Several years later he was fortunate enough to coach with his son Doug and win a City Championship. For Mike, these were definitely crowning achievements.
Of course, Mike's participation in coaching did not overshadow his incredible commitment to the teaching profession. He had been Department Head of both the Religious Studies and the Physical Education Departments at St. Francis Xavier High School. Mike had taught religious studies, physical education, mathematics, chemistry, physics and most recently communication technology.
It is apparent that Mike Dea loved challenges and accepted change with grace and professionalism. He had seen structural changes such as the addition of the present day gymnasium. The former gymnasium is now the Drama Theater and the Library. He was a contributory influence sharing his vision in the construction of the modern and highly technical Central Office and Cafetorium.
St. Francis Xavier is blessed to have had someone like Mike Dea as part of their faculty. He was truly a St. Francis Xavier pioneer.