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McGurk steps down at Robinson
When Robinson Director of Student Activities Mike McGurk informed his son, C.J., that he had gotten a new job, the eight-year-old responded excitedly, "Where? Westfield? Centreville?"
When McGurk told him it was in Missouri, C.J. said, "Oh no, this is a bad dream!"
McGurk has announced that he is stepping down at the end of this school year to move with his family to Jefferson City, Mo. He will become the Activities Director at Jefferson City High School – the only public high school in Missouri's state capital.
"It was more of a family decision just to look for a slightly slower-paced life," said McGurk, who acknowledged that C.J and his four-year-old sister Morgan have warmed up to the idea of moving. "The daily grind of Northern Virginia does catch up with you. [Jefferson City] is a great place to raise a family and the people there are really nice."
McGurk has spent a long time dealing with that daily grind, graduating from Chantilly High School in 1989 and attending George Mason University before breaking into coaching at Lake Braddock in 1991. He spent 12 years with the Bruins, coaching basketball, field hockey and track, then spent a year as the DSA at Jefferson before moving to Robinson. He is completing his fifth year in charge of the Rams' athletic program.
"It's been great here," McGurk said of his time at Robinson. "What a great job this is to have. The community support, the coaches, the kids. I'm not leaving because I'm dismayed with the job. I've had a great experience at Robinson."
The Rams sent McGurk out on a high note this spring, winning state titles in girls soccer and boys tennis and placing second in the state in boys soccer. McGurk has regularly practiced with the girls soccer players over the last two years – even spending five weeks this season in a boot after breaking his foot – and he was happy to see them finish with the fifth state championship in team history.
According to McGurk, Jefferson City High School also has a tradition of success in athletics. The Jays girls track team has won four straight state titles and the football team won four state titles during the 90s.
"Their sports are just as competitive," McGurk said.
In addition to the new job and slower pace of life, the move will place the McGurks closer to family. McGurk's in-laws live in Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., and his wife's brother lives with his family about 20 minutes from the high school.
"For our family, it's a really good move," McGurk said.
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