St. Mary’s High School is proud to announce that Phil Buckingham has accepted the position of athletic director and will assume his duties effective July 1, 2008.

 “I’m excited to continue the tradition at St. Mary’s in which the athletics program reflects the mission of the school,” said  Buckingham, a native of Montgomery County.


Buckingham, who came to St. Mary’s after 18 years of coaching and teaching at Mater Dei in Bethesda, currently teaches English at the school.


He brings with him to the A.D. position, extensive coaching experience at all levels.


His past experience includes coaching basketball from first grade through the high school level up to the college level for the Kenner College summer league in Washington, DC. He has also coached football, soccer, baseball, and tennis at the middle school level.

 

“I’m delighted that Phil has accepted the offer to be our athletic director. I’ve worked with him a lot this year and I have seen his commitment to the school, to our students, and to Catholic education," said St. Mary's principal Richard Bayhan. "There’s not a doubt in my mind that Phil is the right person to take on this very important position.”

 

Buckingham holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame and an M.S. in education administration from Johns Hopkins University.

 

Buckingham and his wife have three children, all of whom attend St. Mary’s Elementary or St. Mary's High School.

 

He replaces Dave Lanham who leaves St. Mary’s after six years to become athletic director at Mead High School.