September 9, 2025
Launched in 2023 to celebrate MPA’s rich athletic tradition, MPA is proud to announce the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees: David McGaha, longtime coach and mentor; Lauren LaRoche ’99, alum athlete; and Olivia (Lansing) Herrick ’06, alum athlete. Please take a moment to read about David McGaha!
How did your time at MPA shape your future?
I was fortunate to apply and land in what was then a new private school in 1983, the second year of MPA’s existence. I knew from seventh grade what I wanted to do when I grew up. Bob and Lois Kreischer had a vision of what a school should be. Now retired, I have so many fond memories of the faculty and of the many students that I was able to work with. Again, I was fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful school.
What is one piece of advice that you would share with MPA athletes?
As a young athlete, you have one opportunity to be the best that you can be. Once you graduate from high school—knowing that you committed yourself to getting the most out of your abilities in your chosen sport or sports—you will move on with an inner satisfaction you never lacked in effort. You control your effort and commitment.
In what ways did the school support you during your time at MPA?
One of the reasons that MPA is such a successful school stems from the freedom that teachers and coaches have to teach and guide students in what they believe to be the right direction. I always felt supported by the administration. Coming to school each year, each day, I visualized what I wanted my classes and teams to accomplish. I always felt that the administration appreciated my efforts. It was challenging and not always easy, but it resulted in a very rewarding career.
What impact do you hope you had on others at MPA?
I hope that students and faculty saw me as a committed, caring teacher and coach. I had a responsibility to give all that I had, and hopefully, the students that I worked with saw how much I cared. As a teacher, you set the tone and atmosphere of class and within a team. I really enjoyed my students and athletes, and I hope they realized how much I cared about them.
What is something about you or your time at MPA that few people know?
I wrote two books of short stories that, at least, the guys I grew up with and am still close friends with, enjoyed. My friends encouraged me to publish them, but they went nowhere. Branching out from school commitments that consumed so much of my time was fun. We also made one of the short stories a book on tape in CD form.
Click here to make a gift in honor of this year’s Hall of Fame inductees and help build a strong future for MPA athletics.
