If Tony DeMare were to write a book about the first 52 years of his life, he said he’d title it “Fulfilling.”DeMare is rounding out his 17th year as athletic director and head baseball coach at Dearborn Divine Child. The Catholic League will celebrate him as “Person of the Year” at its annual Hall of Fame banquet June 13.
It will also be his last year at Divine Child. “I’m ready to hang it up,” he says.DeMare had his sights set on a college career, coaching baseball and teaching English, “but God directed me to Divine Child.”“Once I got here (in 1999), I didn’t want to be any place else. It’s been amazing. I’ll always cherish the relationships with the athletes, faculty and staff.”He added: “When I come across former players, and I see them as quality citizens, husbands or fathers, it means a lot to me.”
Principal Damian Hermann called DeMare a “true servant leader, committed to our legacy and traditions.”About the Catholic League (where he played while at St. Alphonsus, Class of 1981), DeMare said, “No other league offers such great competition, such great people. It’s a challenging environment that demands a lot of the kids, helping them to get better.”CHSL director Vic Michaels said the league will miss DeMare “tremendously.”“He was a member of our executive committee for many years,” Michaels said. “He saw both sides of every debate. He always was fair and reasonable.”Michaels added, “Tony wore his religion on his sleeve. He often volunteered to lead the prayer at our meetings.”
During his college days, DeMare became acquainted with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, an international Christian sports ministry that presents to athletes and coaches the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. “It had a tremendous effect on me,” he said. “I realized the most important thing in life is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Every day my purpose is to glorify God in all that I do.”
DeMare is not a Roman Catholic, nor of any other denomination. “I have Gospel beliefs and Divine Child is a Gospel-based school,” he said. DeMare’s domain at Divine Child encompasses 25 sports, 50 teams, 80 coaches and about 550 participants, which, he points out, is about two-thirds of the school’s enrollment.
Since 2000, the Falcons have enjoyed remarkable athletic success.
DeMare coached Divine Child baseball to Class B state championships in 2004-05-08-10. The hockey team won the Division 3 crown in 2002. Girls basketball won the 2011 Class B title, while the girls track and field squad took the Class B championships in 2010-12-13. In the Catholic League, Divine Child boys teams have 12 championships in four sports, led by five in baseball.
The Falcons girls teams have amassed 40 championships in seven sports, most notably competitive cheer (14 years in a row, coached by Amber Genevich), and track 11 times and cross country five times (coached by the legendary Tony Mifsud).
Bryan Rizzo, director of athletics for Madonna University, will succeed DeMare as of July 1. He and everyone else at the school are anticipating the completion this fall of a $3 million renovation to the current athletic complex, including a synthetic turf field, an eight-lane track, concession stand and stadium seating for 1,800.
What’s next for DeMare and his spouse of 27 years, Cynthia, and their five children, all Divine Child alumni — Tommy, DeKorsay, Colby, Jasmine and Torey? Torey, the youngest, graduated a week ago and will continue his baseball and academic career at Liberty University.
“My wife and I will be embracing a new chapter in our lives,” Tony said. “I’m not certain right now what it will be.”
For information about the CHSL Hall of Fame banquet on June 13 at the Fern Hill Country Club in Clinton Township, log on to CHSL.com or call (313) 237-5960.
Don Horkey may be reached at [email protected].
