November 21, 2023
By BOB YORK
It’s not often you find a headmaster immersing himself in the nomination process of the New England Prep School Athletic Conference’s most prestigious award: The Martin William Souders Memorial Award. Such endeavors normally fall under the jurisdiction of the school’s athletic director or its coaches. This year, that process started – and culminated – at the top.
This year’s procedure was clearly different. Perhaps it was the inscription on the award that finally hit home. It reads: “This award is in recognition of leadership, vision, dedication and the constant and valuable contributions made to Physical Education and Athletics among New England Independent Schools.” Furthermore, it is presented annually to a graduate of a New England Independent School “who has made a distinguished record in sports and who has since made a distinguished record in life through high ideals, leadership and accomplishments.”
Perhaps it was the fact that after more than three decades, this story needed to be told and this seemed to be the perfect time to tell it.
Or, perhaps, having occupied the Oval Office of St. Sebastian’s School in Needham, MA for the past 34 years and staring at retirement in June, Headmaster Bill Burke decided he better use it or lose it as far as his NEPSAC voting status was concerned. And so, he finally opted to toss his hat in the ring for a nominee.
Turns out, Burke’s winning candidate in 2023 is the very same person he would have nominated three decades ago: Mike Grier.
“I was extremely shocked and deeply honored at he same time when I first received word of having won the Souders Award,” said Grier. “It’s a special award for kids who go to school like I did … at a New England prep school. It really means so much to me to be recognized in this manner.”
Grier, who graduated from St. Sebastian’s in 1993, received his award Friday during NEPSAC’s Annual Meeting which was held in Boxborough, MA. The other highlight of the meeting was NEPSAC’s presentation of its Annual Distinguished Service Award. This award is given annually to an individual “who has contributed significantly to New England Independent School Athletics and Physical Education through their enthusiasm, dedication, leadership and vision.”
This year’s winner of that award is Dick Muther, who spent the past eight years serving as athletic director of St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H. This year, Muther opted to return to the classroom where he is currently teaching in the mathematics department.
“Mike was a sophomore here at St. Sebastian’s, when I took over as headmaster,” said Burke, “and from Day One, I quickly realized what an outstanding role model this young man was for our student athletes. Even as a sophomore, he commanded your respect. You couldn’t help but look up to him … you couldn’t help but admire him … you couldn’t help but want to be like him.”
Grier gave the world a sneak peek at what he was about to be bringing to the sport of hockey while at St. Sebastian’s as he helped the Arrows capture back-to-back Independent School League titles in 1992 and 1993. As for his knack of scoring, only his senior year (92-93) stats at St. Sebastian’s showed up on record but they were eye-popping at 43 points on 16 goals and 27 assists in 22 games.
“St. Sebastian’s played a big part of my life, both on and off the ice,” said Grier. “As a student there, I learned a lot about community … about helping one another … about being a good person … about having faith in yourself and trusting your instincts. … about doing what you love and enjoying it.”
Burke, as it turns out, proved to be so enamored by Grier’s traits that he wrote him a letter following his graduation on June 1, 1993. In it he said: “I write to thank you for all you have done to make my first three years at St. Sebastian’s so enjoyably rewarding. You have thrown your heart and soul into the life of our community, inspiring more people than you will ever know.
“Your teachers and coaches join me in commending you for tremendous courage, determination and perseverance. An intelligent kid with a kind, sensitive, giving nature, you have invested and developed your considerable talents. As you know, you can work harder still. Commit yourself to hard work in the classroom at BU, get out there and make a real difference in this world that so desperately needs the kind of leadership you can provide.”
And that’s exactly what he did. Grier continued developing his considerable hockey skills at BU and while doing so, helped lead the Terriers to a National Championship in 1995 as well as back-to-back Hockey East Championships. In just three seasons at BU, Grier chalked up 120 points off 59 goals and 61 assists in 114 games. His skills would later land him a first team berth on the Hockey East All-Star Team as well as a spot on the Division I ACHA All-American Team. He also won the Walter Brown Award in 1995 as the best U.S.-born collegiate player in New England.
It wasn’t just Grier’s leaving a prep school hockey legacy second to none in NEPSAC annals for his school to relish throughout the years that continues to bring a smile to Burke’s face whenever he thinks of Grier, however. There are the less glittery and glamorous things he’s done as well.
“Mike’s never forgotten his past … he’s never forgotten where he came from,” said Burke. “And that’s why he’s always giving back to the school and to the St. Sebastian’s community. In fact, you used to see him around campus much more frequently when he had a little more free time … lately, not so much.”
Grier’s giving back to his alma mater included a five-year stretch during which he served as the Arrows assistant hockey to Sean McCann, who is the current leader of the pack. And it was a move, according to McCann, that proved to benefit everyone involved.
“I know Mike enjoyed the opportunity of working with the kids,” said McCann, “and I know the kids enjoyed working with him. He showed a real passion for the game. I remember him being soft spoken and being very careful with his words whenever explaining the game so his point would be understood.
“I just think it’s fantastic that when you have someone of the stature of a Mike Grier, who has played for your school and is willing to come home and help teach the school’s next generation of kids how to play the game,” added McCann. “It makes other kids want to come to St. Sebastian’s, too.”
Grier’s professional career began at the 1993 NHL Draft when he was selected 219th overall by the St. Louis Blues. He was primarily a checking forward who played in 1,060 NHL games over 14 seasons. During that span, which included stints with the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks, he chalked up 383 points on 162 goals and 221 assists. He announced his retirement from the game in 2011.
On July 6, 2022, Grier took the next step down his Yellow Brick Road when the Sharks made him the first Black general manager in National Hockey League history. And in making the announcement, Jonathan Becher, the president of the franchise’s parent company, Sharks Sports and Entertainment, said Grier’s tenacity was one of the qualities that helped land him the job.
“There are precious few candidates who have the strength of character to lead not just in good times but in difficult ones,” Becher told Neal Boudette of the New York Times. “Mike has consistently demonstrated the ability to do just that.”
Grier said being the league’s first Black general manager means a lot to him. “It’s not something I take lightly,” he told Boudette. “I realize the responsibility that comes with the territory, but I’m up for it. If we do well, hopefully it will open some doors for someone to follow.”
Ironically, although Grier is the first Black GM in the NHL, he’s not the first GM in his family. His older brother, Chris, owns that title. The elder sibling has been the general manager of the National Football League’s Miami Dolphins since 2016. “His one tip to success to me: Just believe yourself and in the vision you have for the organization,” said Grier. “Often times there is a lot of outside chatter going on, but ignore it and stay true to your vision and to yourself and everything will turn out for the best.”
Grier’s father, Bobby, has dabbled in sports as well. In fact, diehard New England Patriots fans may remember him when he served as the team’s offensive backfield coach from 1981 through 1992.
Dick Muther has come full circle. In just two years, he’s gone from nominator to nominee when it comes to NEPSAC’s two prized athletic awards it hands out every year. In 2021, Muther nominated a former student-athlete at Tabor Academy: the late Travis Roy, for the Martin William Souders Memorial Award.
This year, Muther was the nominee for NEPSAC’s annual Distinguished Service Award. And when you consider “this award is presented to the individual who has contributed significantly to New England Independent School Athletics and Physical Education through their enthusiasm, dedication, leadership and vision,” you might wonder why this union hadn’t formed earlier on.
“The bottom line for me is that Dick is one of the most dedicated faculty members I have ever worked with,” said Kelly Walker, who worked with Muther in the Tabor athletic department from 1997 to 2016 and is the person who nominated him for the award. “I am a far better person for his guidance and support. I know he has done this for so many colleagues throughout his career at Tabor and St. Paul’s.“
Muther’s love affair with prep schools dates back to 1981, when he broke in at the Rectory School in Pomfret, Ct., but then departed for Tabor. He learned the ropes there, mainly serving as athletic director for 26 years. His other duties included math teacher and dorm parent as well as boys soccer, ice hockey and lacrosse coach.
“To me the opportunity to teach kids is the greatest job in the world,” said Muther. “Whether it be on the athletic field in a large setting, or in the classroom in a one-on-one situation, it makes no difference to me … I just love the opportunity to work at a prep school.”
“As for winning the Distinguished Service Award, I feel both honored and humbled,” said Muther. “I know a lot of people who have won this award and I feel proud to be included in that wonderful group.”
Throughout Muther’s career, he has been heavily involved in the NEPSAC coaching organizations. That includes being one of the founders and the inaugural president of the NEPSAC Boys Soccer Coaches Association and more recently as a member of the NEPSAC Athletic Directors Executive Board, where he served as President from 2011 to 2013.
“One of the things that I admire about Dick is his willingness to always go the extra mile for our students,” said Walker. “It didn’t matter what the area of school life it was, Dick was always willing to lend a hand. If there was set up that need to happen so that a fun event or an activity could take place, he was always there. If we needed hands-on cleanup at the end of a season, Dick would be the one to take on Saturday morning work detail and bring the kids to help move goals, pick up trash, clean spaces … you name it.”
Muther, who is a graduate of Colby College and Harvard University where he earned his Masters in Education degree, returned to the classroom to teach mathematics this fall. During his afternoons, he finds coaching to be an excellent extension of the classroom, “because,” said Muther, “whether it be on the ice, field or diamond, the skills that can be developed and the lessons that can be learned through commitment, effort, grit and teamwork are all critical parts of a student’s experience.”
ADDITIONAL LINKS:
Please view the awards ceremony here.
Please view the photo gallery here.
Address : 
