At the recent NEPSAC Class A Squash Championships held at St. George’s School, Deerfield’s boys’ varsity squash team achieved a hard-fought 5th place ranking. However, the day was also marked by a significant honor for Coach Mike Silipo, a seasoned educator and accomplished coach, as he received the NEISA Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor recognizes Silipo’s lifelong contributions to the New England Interscholastic Squash Association, celebrating his enthusiasm, dedication, leadership, and vision over a remarkable 57-year career.
Mike Silipo’s coaching journey has spanned more than five decades, during which he shaped the lives of countless student-athletes at Tabor and Deerfield Academy. Throughout his career, Silipo has coached multiple sports–squash, football, and baseball–and has amassed over 200 wins and multiple NEPSAC titles. His unwavering passion for coaching, his vision for developing student-athletes, and his commitment to fostering a positive sports culture are just a few of the qualities that have earned him this distinguished accolade.
Although retired from teaching in May 2017, he continues to inspire athletes, remaining active as Deerfield’s squash coach. In December 2017, Silipo was inducted into the NEPSAC Coaches Hall of Fame, further solidifying his place among the legends of high school coaching in New England.
Deerfield boys’ varsity squash finished the tournament with a strong 5th place ranking, after a tight 3-4 loss to Kent in the first round. While the match didn’t result the way they may have hoped, the future remains bright for Deerfield boys’ varsity squash. This season the team finished with an outstanding 12-2 record in the regular season. The record highlights the hard work, teamwork, and discipline instilled in Coach Silipo and the team.
Congratulations to Coach Mike Silipo for receiving the NEISA Lifetime Award! This well-deserved acknowledgement reflects your ongoing contributions to New England Independent School Athletics, and we’re so grateful for your dedication to Deerfield’s squash program. We extend our congratulations to the boys’ varsity squash team for a marvelous season!