Notre Dame Preparatory High School, 9701 E. Bell Road, announces the hiring of Mike Mahon as its new athletic director. With more than 40 years of experience in education, including nine years in athletic administration, Mahon is set to lead the athletic department of the North Scottsdale Catholic high school.

“Mike brings a unique blend of vision, leadership, and a commitment to fostering student-athlete growth on and off the field,” said NDP’s principal Brie Dragonetti. “He also has a strong Catholic faith, and I know he is going to be the perfect fit for our community.”

Mahon returns to NDP after 13 years, having been the athletic director from 2005 to 2010 when he served under founding principal David Gonsalves and worked alongside legendary football coach Scot Bemis.

“Working at NDP was an honor and an exciting time in my professional life. I am overjoyed about this homecoming of sorts. It is great that God would lead me back here,” Mahon said.

After their two sons graduated from NDP (Michael in 2008 and Robert in 2010), Mahon and his wife, Robin, were offered jobs overseas. Mahon has worked in Hungary and Russia as well as in South Carolina and Arizona. Despite many moves, he and Robin never sold their Arizona home always knowing this was where they wanted to end up.

“When the job opened at NDP, it felt like a sign that it was time to return home,” Mahon said. “I still have a deep connection to many members in the NDP community. I look forward to seeing them more often.”

Mahon, who will start in his new position in December, possesses an impressive track record in the world of high school athletics. He is familiar with and worked closely with the Arizona Interscholastic Association during his tenure at NDP.

“The first time I spoke to Mike, I knew he was the person we had been looking for,” said NDP President Jill Platt.

“He respects and understands our school’s traditions and values. It feels good to bring someone in who already cares deeply about our athletic programs--and has for almost two decades,” she added.

Other members of the NDP community who worked with Mahon in the past are enthusiastic about his return and the future of NDP athletic programs under his guidance.

"I was an inexperienced coach and teacher, and Notre Dame Prep was an unknown entity when Mike Mahon began as NDP's Athletic Director in 2005. His steady hand and expertise were instrumental in the meteoric rise of NDP athletics and building the school community as a whole," said Matt Rylski, the school’s director of enrollment.

Notre Dame Prep is a Catholic diocesan college preparatory high school with a co-ed enrollment of 975 students.