They Don't Make 'Em Like Michaela Witcher Anymore

My sportswriting career, off and on has now spanned more than 40 years. That includes covering more than a zillion games. I was lucky enough to get my start at the Suburban Journals, starting in 1971.

My single greatest source of pride was covering the career of Kirkwood’s basketball coach Denver Miller. He coached the Pioneers for 43 years before the administration drove him into forced retirement.

Second on the list and moving up has been my relationship working with Michaela Witcher, athletic director for the St. Joseph’s Academy Angels.

I wasn’t sure how to react when the word came down a couple of weeks ago, “M” was going to retire after 38 years of making the same turn into the school drive on Lindbergh Boulevard.

They don’t make them like Michaela Witcher any more. Her dedication went far beyond the walls of the school in Frontenac.

She is St. Joseph’s Academy. This school has the finest female athletic program in Missouri, or for that matter the entire Midwest. Say St. Joe anywhere in the country, and passionate sports fans know something about the Angels.

She has surrounded herself undoubtedly with some of the finest, most skilled coaches in the entire region.

I can’t help but give kudos to people like Maureen McVey, their Hall of Fame soccer coach; Julie Matheny, who has built up a nationally-recognized basketball program; Doug Smith who brings such professionalism to tennis or Karen Davis who has one of the best volleyball programs anywhere. Sorry if I didn’t name everyone.

Those things don’t happen by accident. Michaela has nurtured and built that coaching staff for many years. The girls who play the sports are recipients of all that expertise.

Michaela shuns the limelight to the best of her ability. She hates for the spotlight to be focused on her.

But watch her in action. She’s the one setting up all the athletic fields. She is the one making sure well healed alumni have a court side chair for a big game. She is making sure referees are taken care of and sports writers and broadcasters get all of their needs met. She is a one-woman gang in the athletic department.

But after one turns 60 (she will be 63 this fall), the body starts to wear out as the hours pile up. She relishes the opportunity now to spend more time with her eight brothers and sisters; countless nieces and nephews mostly in Kansas City. She can now be on the golf course without having to rush back to work.

Her younger brother lives on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands. Guess where she is going to spend some extended time?

Michaela, we hate to see you go. We wish you nothing but the best. We know you prayed often over this decision and will be happy with what is next.

Best yet, she promises to come back and watch the Angels play a variety of sports. That means more time to kibitz with all those demanding duties to deal with gone.

Just the best of luck to Michaela Witcher.