Jim Deegan Lived Significantly

Jim Deegan Lived Significantly 1933-2020

Jim Deegan

HAVE YOU HEARD THE STORY ABOUT COACH JIM DEEGAN building a landing pit with the help of pole vaulter John Rooney, C’60, and other improvisations the young coach made from the time he arrived as track and field, cross country and soccer coach at Mount St. Mary’s in 1956 until a track was built in 1963? How about the one about how Norwegian recruit and Olympian Trond Skramstad, C’83, won both Division I and Division II decathlon titles in a span of 10 days in 1982?

Coach Deegan loved to tell stories from his 50-year legendary career, and the thousands of student-athletes whom he helped form into remarkable human beings loved to listen, no matter how many times they may have heard them. He often shared the story of watching Peter Rono, C’92, win Olympic gold in the 1500m in 1988, but a lesser known tale may reveal more about Deegan as a person. When Rono was in danger of failing accounting, a subject that he struggled to grasp, Deegan tutored him. Deegan viewed Rono’s bachelor’s degree as being of greater value than his Olympic gold medal.

Deegan founded the Mount’s track and field program and brought it to international prominence by the 1970s, with top athletes from Norway, France and Kenya eager to enroll in the university and blossom under Deegan’s tutelage. “I get a lot of enjoyment from the success of the athletes and seeing them improve,” Deegan told Mount Magazine in 2016. “And watching them [grow into] the people they end up being.”

A humble man, Coach Deegan bragged more about the accomplishments of his five children and his student-athletes than his own considerable successes. Deegan’s coaching brilliance and exuberance touched thousands; he guided the men’s soccer program for almost 40 years, and made a global impact on the world of track and field. Under Deegan’s leadership, the Mount became nationally known as the training hub for the decathlon, producing 10 NCAA National Champions, 20 All-Americans, and four Olympians.

Deegan’s legacy lives on through his former student-athletes who were inspired by him to become coaches. Harry Marra, C’69, has coached Olympic decathletes, including two-time Olympic champion Ashton Eaton, while former All-American decathlete Jim Stevenson, C’95, succeeded Deegan in 2006 and ran the Mount team until current Director of Track and Field Jay Phillips, C’05, MT’08, took over in 2015.

“Coach’s philosophy, perspectives, and training are still a part of our team’s DNA—they live on,” Phillips said. “We’re living in the house he built, and we’re blessed because of it.”

When not coaching, Deegan enjoyed hosting family gatherings at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas with his wife of 65 years, Marge. Marge passed away at age 85 exactly one month before Jim went to rest in Heaven on November 7, 2020. Jim and Marge both loved their visits to the Delaware beaches where they enjoyed many sunsets.

Coach Deegan is survived by his son, James Deegan, C’78 (Marty Tarr) of Dewey Beach, Delaware, daughter, Diane Bittle, C’79, MBA’83 (John, C’75, MBA’80) of Fairfield, Pennsylvania, son Bob Deegan, C’82 (Maggie, C’81) of Bowie, Maryland, daughter, Ann Deegan, C’85, of Reston, Virginia, daughter Jane Deegan, C’90, of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren, Scott Bittle, Meg Lucas (Nick), Thomas Bittle, Corri Deegan, Carly Deegan, C’13, Cara Hojnoski, C’15 (Mark, C’15), Amy Cropper (Mike); great grandchildren, Sofia Cropper, Josslyn Cropper and Arthur Lucas. For a full recap of Coach Deegan’s career, visit msmary.edu/deegan.

Coach Deegan at the 2012 NEC Championships at the Mount.

By the Numbers

1 Olympic champion (Peter Rono, gold medalist in 1,500 meter run at 1988 Olympics)

7 All-Americans in men’s soccer

11 Olympians in 16 track & field events (6 representatives at 1988 Olympics)

25 NCAA track & field champions (5 in 1987 alone)

78 All-Americans in track and field (16 in 1987 alone)

Coach Jim Deegan with the sprint medley relay team after winning the 1977 Penn Relays Crown. From left: Coach Deegan, Mark Martin, C’78, Tom Delmoor, C’79, Barry Stebbins, C’77, and Ron Banks, C’77.

Remembering Coach Deegan

Coach Jim Deegan built the storied legacy of the Mount track and field program over a 50-year career and also served as men’s soccer coach for most of those years. His genius as a coach will live on through his former student-athletes who are now coaches, such as our track and field director Jay Phillips. The Mount was blessed that Jim dedicated his life to forming student-athletes, and he will be greatly missed. We pray for the repose of his soul and take comfort in the knowledge that he rests with his beloved wife Marge in Heaven.

-President Timothy E. Trainor, Ph.D.

Legendary coaches Jim Phelan and Jim Deegan, together at center court.

Coach Deegan dedicated his life to the Mount and influenced over a thousand student-athletes throughout his career. Coach Deegan was a brilliant coach and educator, a great mentor, a dear friend, and storyteller extraordinaire. Our prayers are with the Deegan family as we remember and grieve for their wonderful parents.

Director of Athletics Lynne Robinson, C’79, MBA’83

Coach helped me run faster than I ever thought I could, and he gave me space to let track and field form who I was as a person. Decades of men and women can claim the same. We’ve lost a great man, a mentor, and a Mount legend.

Director of Track and Field Jay Phillips, C’05, MT’08

I feel fortunate to have been one of “Beaver’s” student-athletes. He was remarkable and unique. He had a story for every situation. RIP, Coach.

Joe Doherty, C’70

I will really miss him. He gave me an opportunity to come and study in America from a tiny village in Kenya. He changed one person who has managed to change a village.

Festus Kiprono, C’00

RIP, Coach. Thank you for your decades of investment in the lives of so many Mount student-athletes. Your instruction of valuable lessons of character and courage influenced generations as many of your Mount runners and soccer players became coaches themselves. Prayers to your family.

Tom O’Connor, C’79

Margaret Ann “Marge” Deegan

Margaret Ann "Marge" Deegan

MARGE DEEGAN passed away peacefully on Oct. 7, 2020, exactly one month before her beloved husband of 65 years, Jim. She was born in Philadelphia, the daughter of the late Albert and Anna Wetzel. A graduate of West Chester University with a bachelor’s degree in teaching, Marge was a substitute teacher at Mother Seton School and Hoover Elementary School. Marge held a special place in the hearts of many and she truly loved being a part of the Mount’s community of professors, students, and alumni. During basketball season, you could often find her and Coach at many of the games. Marge enjoyed playing cards at the Seton senior center and loved her time at the beach.