Friday night lights, state championships, from the field to the court, athletics are bustling all year round at Dighton-Rehoboth High School. Every day, students, and staff are involved in countless sports and activities, but for one person in particular, it’s more than just scores and rankings. Matthew McKinnon joined DR last fall, stepping up to become the new athletic director.

     Mr. McKinnon plays a huge role in athletics during and after school. He states that “no two days are identical” in his workday. He spends the school day double-checking game schedules, confirming transportation for away games, and securing officials for home matches. He also gets involved in meetings with his fellow administrators, further discussing and organizing the athletics. Following his busy workday, McKinnon’s real excitement begins once school lets out and sports ramp up. For away games, he ensures teams board the correct buses. For games here at DR, you can find him at the fields, prepping to host other teams and greeting them when they arrive. His responsibilities still carry on through the games; while officials are in control of the game, McKinnon ensures that both teams can compete safely and fairly.

     Mr. McKinnon has a love for sports, being quite the athlete himself. He was a three (somewhat four) sport athlete in his high school days. Lettering as a captain in football, as well as indoor track and baseball, he also competed on his school’s first-ever rowing team in his senior year. He carried his love of sports through college as a walk-on for the University of Rhode Island football team, and now he is able to put it into DR athletics. He expresses his love for involvement in the school and being able to experience the games, describing it as “inspiring him to do better every day.” McKinnon is also a huge outdoor enthusiast. When the waves are good, McKinnon tries his best to get in the water as a lifelong surfer. Outside the workweek and away from the hectic athletics, Mathews’s favorite way to spend his time is with his wonderful wife and best bud, his three-year-old yellow lab named Murphy.

     Despite being a recent member of the Dighton-Rehoboth staff, many athletes, including myself, have already felt the beginning of his lasting positive impact on the community. I quote McKinnon in highlighting a valuable life lesson he has learned: “Whether it’s on the playing surface or in everyday life, finding your team, your people you can count on and they on you, is essential for success and happiness.” This is an important lesson to understand as you delve further into McKinnon’s life. He has always had a passion for sports, and coming from a family of educators, administrators, and coaches, he always knew he wanted to do something relating to athletics. Combining these factors along with the support of mentors and friends, he was guided to the position at DR.

“They say if you love what you do, you never really ‘work’ a day in your life, and I certainly feel that way being an athletic director.”

-McKinnon.

     McKinnon highlights the fact that he has learned a great deal during his 14 months at DR in coaching, teaching, and administrating. One of his eruditions is “the individual is only as strong as the team, and leaning on others for support is a strength, not a weakness.” This can not only be heard here from him but also seen as he strives to stay “hungry” and “humble,” learning from those around him and reassessing to improve and overcome challenges and personal hurdles he has faced within himself. Overall, McKinnon expresses his honor in having the privilege of leading the “historic and successful” athletic department. He calls on the opportunity of working with students, athletes, coaches, teachers, and administrators and takes extreme pride and graciousness, looking forward to continuing his endeavor towards excellence.