Honoring a Pioneer: Join Us for the Jersey Retirement of Dr. Miles McAfee

I write today to invite you to a meaningful and long-overdue moment in the life of our College: the jersey retirement ceremony honoring Dr. Miles McAfee, former head coach of Saint Mary’s Baseball and a true pioneer in intercollegiate athletics.

This upcoming Saturday, April 18, we will gather at Louis Guisto Field at Brother Ronald Gallagher Stadium just prior to the game against Gonzaga to celebrate Dr. McAfee’s legacy and retire his No. 11 jersey—an enduring tribute to a leader whose impact continues to shape our community. I hope you will join me.

An Historic Figure and Saint Mary’s Trailblazer

Dr. McAfee made history as the first Black head coach in Division I baseball at a non-HBCU institution. Yet his legacy extends far beyond that distinction. 

Known to generations of student-athletes as “Coach Mac,” he led the Gaels from 1973 to 1980, transforming the program and establishing a standard of excellence that would endure for decades. His teams achieved remarkable success on the field, including a record-setting 41-win season, and he remained the winningest coach in program history for more than 40 years.

A Legacy Measured in Lives

But those who knew Dr. McAfee speak most powerfully about who he was as a person.

He was a mentor, an advocate, and a man of deep principle—someone who believed in fairness, dignity, and opportunity for all. He invested in young people not only as athletes but as individuals, helping to shape lives far beyond the game. Many of his players went on to professional careers, while countless others carried forward the lessons he instilled in classrooms, careers, and communities across the country.

Dr. McAfee’s story is also an important part of our broader history—one that calls us to recognize those whose contributions may not always have received the visibility they deserved. In honoring him now, we affirm both the impact he made and the values he represented. His life and work reflect, in powerful ways, our shared commitment to the Lasallian principle of Respect for All Persons.

I hope you will join us for this special occasion:

Saturday, April 18, 2026
Jersey Retirement Ceremony: Approximately 12:45 p.m. (15 minutes before first pitch)
First Pitch vs. Gonzaga: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Louis Guisto Field at Brother Ronald Gallagher Stadium

This will be more than a pregame ceremony. It will be a celebration of legacy, a recognition of leadership, and a moment for our community to come together in gratitude. I am hopeful that all members of our community who are committed to honoring the full breadth of Saint Mary’s history will join me as we recognize Dr. McAfee’s lasting influence.

Interested supporters can also contribute to the Miles McAfee Endowed Scholarship benefiting the Saint Mary's College Baseball program. All gifts are fully tax-deductible and enable the Baseball program to recruit and retain talented student-athletes. 

Thank you for being part of a community that remembers, celebrates, and strives to live out the values embodied by leaders like Dr. McAfee.

Warm regards,

Roger J. Thompson, EdD
President