GO MUSTANGS!
Our after-school interscholastic athletic program is an important part of a student’s educational experience. We offer a variety of teams for both boys and girls during all three seasons. The Varsity program provides a competitive team experience where outcome and achievement are a high priority. All students are encouraged to participate, regardless of their skill level.
MacDuffie Athletics is committed to promoting the ideals of sportsmanship, respect, leadership, and integrity. Our goal is to build individual athletic ability, increase physical fitness, and help gain a sense of community.
In 2019 Neil Domer-Shank joined the MacDuffie athletic department staff, serving as the Assistant Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach, teaching physical education classes, and working with student leadership development. “Coach D” spent the last 6 years in a similar role at The Master’s School, and before that was a Youth and Family Services/Camps Director in the Greater Hartford YMCA. Coach D is the president of the Northeast Dragons Baseball Club, and coaches for Connecticut Diamonds softball. In his rare spare time, he writes novels, plays banana-grams with his kids and raucously cheers on the Ohio State Buckeyes. Neil and his wife Laura – an educational psychologist – live in East Granby, CT with their three children, Cameron, Larkyn and Ella.
In 2019 Neil Domer-Shank joined the MacDuffie athletic department staff, serving as the Assistant Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach, teaching physical education classes, and working with student leadership development. “Coach D” spent the last 6 years in a similar role at The Master’s School, and before that was a Youth and Family Services/Camps Director in the Greater Hartford YMCA. Coach D is the president of the Northeast Dragons Baseball Club, and coaches for Connecticut Diamonds softball. In his rare spare time, he writes novels, plays banana-grams with his kids and raucously cheers on the Ohio State Buckeyes. Neil and his wife Laura – an educational psychologist – live in East Granby, CT with their three children, Cameron, Larkyn and Ella.
BA, Canterbury Christ Church University, England
Post Grad Certified in Education, Bedford College of Higher Education, England
MPhil, Canterbury Christ Church University, England
BA, Canterbury Christ Church University, England
Post Grad Certified in Education, Bedford College of Higher Education, England
MPhil, Canterbury Christ Church University, England
BA, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
Université de Caen Basse-Normandie
BA, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
Université de Caen Basse-Normandie
BA, Vassar College
MA, Simmons University
Jessi Panico began her role as an English Teacher at MacDuffie in 2018 after working for two years as a Residential Advisor; she also advises The Magnet, the school’s student-run newspaper. She holds a BA in English from Vassar College and an MA in English from Simmons University. Jessi worked for two years at The Leadership School in Nobleboro, ME, a residential experiential education program for middle school students. She has also been a tutor, a rock climbing instructor, and a counselor and instructor at numerous summer camps. She spends equal parts of her spare time outside (hiking, camping, and climbing) and inside (reading and playing board games).
BA, Vassar College
MA, Simmons University
Jessi Panico began her role as an English Teacher at MacDuffie in 2018 after working for two years as a Residential Advisor; she also advises The Magnet, the school’s student-run newspaper. She holds a BA in English from Vassar College and an MA in English from Simmons University. Jessi worked for two years at The Leadership School in Nobleboro, ME, a residential experiential education program for middle school students. She has also been a tutor, a rock climbing instructor, and a counselor and instructor at numerous summer camps. She spends equal parts of her spare time outside (hiking, camping, and climbing) and inside (reading and playing board games).
BS, Springfield College
MS, Springfield College
“Coach” is a title that Aaron Patterson is proud to have because of his love for helping young people achieve their goals and dreams on the basketball court. No matter the level, Coach Patterson finds peace and happiness in the gymnasium training basketball players who aspire to do great things. He is equally proud of the many hard-working and dedicated youth, high school and college players he has trained over the years as he is of Jeremy Lamb of the Indiana Pacers and Tremont Waters of the Boston Celtics, two professional players Coach Patterson has had the opportunity to coach. When not coaching Patterson enjoys collecting fine art, traveling with his family, playing golf, eating ice cream and partaking in an intense Cross Fit workout. Someday he hopes to get the opportunity to live part-time in Paris with his wife Michelle … during the off-season only of course!
BS, Springfield College
MS, Springfield College
“Coach” is a title that Aaron Patterson is proud to have because of his love for helping young people achieve their goals and dreams on the basketball court. No matter the level, Coach Patterson finds peace and happiness in the gymnasium training basketball players who aspire to do great things. He is equally proud of the many hard-working and dedicated youth, high school and college players he has trained over the years as he is of Jeremy Lamb of the Indiana Pacers and Tremont Waters of the Boston Celtics, two professional players Coach Patterson has had the opportunity to coach. When not coaching Patterson enjoys collecting fine art, traveling with his family, playing golf, eating ice cream and partaking in an intense Cross Fit workout. Someday he hopes to get the opportunity to live part-time in Paris with his wife Michelle … during the off-season only of course!
BA, Yale University
PhD, Michigan State University
Mr. Shelburne lives in nearby Northampton and has three children who have attended MacDuffie (classes of 2014, 2017, 2020). He enjoys developing projects to challenge and engage students in classes like BC AP and Multivariable Calculus and Pre AP Calculus. He helped start the Ultimate program at MacDuffie and has been the head Ultimate coach for eleven years. When he is not busy balancing the demands of work and family, you can sometimes find him balancing on a unicycle!
BA, Yale University
PhD, Michigan State University
Mr. Shelburne lives in nearby Northampton and has three children who have attended MacDuffie (classes of 2014, 2017, 2020). He enjoys developing projects to challenge and engage students in classes like BC AP and Multivariable Calculus and Pre AP Calculus. He helped start the Ultimate program at MacDuffie and has been the head Ultimate coach for eleven years. When he is not busy balancing the demands of work and family, you can sometimes find him balancing on a unicycle!