Those who know Mike Phillips best would describe him as someone who brings out the best in others. His influence has helped student-athletes improve academically and enhanced their overall success. Both students and coaches have benefited from the guidance and leadership that Mike provides as a mentor. He is truly a personality that people gravitate toward and benefit from being around. Mike earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Tennessee in 1979. He attended the University of Georgia where he completed a Master of Education degree in Education in 1985. Mike continued his graduate work at the University of West Georgia where he received his Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership in 1995. In 2005 Mike earned the distinction of being a nationally Certified Master Athletic Administrator (C.M.A.A.) by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (N.I.A.A.A.) in Indianapolis, Indiana. During his career Mike coached soccer and football while teaching technology at Peachtree High School, Meadowcreek High School, and Brookwood High School. He was named Assistant Football Coach of the Year in DeKalb County in 1982 and in Gwinnett County in 1987. In 1983 Mike was named the Soccer Coach of the Year in DeKalb County. In 1993 Mike became the Assistant Principal and an Athletic Administrator at South Gwinnett High School where for the next seven years he performed a variety of duties before moving to Grayson High School.
At Grayson High School, Mike served as the Associate Principal and the Athletic Director for eight years. He was instrumental in assisting with opening the new campus for the school. During this time, he coordinated a capital improvement plan which produced a 6,000 seat stadium, a stadium press box, ticket booths, concession stands, restrooms, a complete baseball and softball complex, and a strength and conditioning facility. The amount of capital improvements and financial backing that Mike promoted was monumental. After serving at Grayson High School Mike became the Assistant Athletic Director for the Gwinnett County Public School System. In addition to operating the overall athletic program for the school system and mentoring young athletic directors, he has also been the Coordinator for Adapted Sports giving students with physical disabilities opportunities to compete in athletics. What he does to provide these athletes the chance to work hard, develop discipline and teamwork while overcoming adversity says a lot about who Mike Phillips is and what makes him special.
In 2008 Mike was named the Region 8-AAAAA Athletic Director of the Year and the Class AAAAA Athletic Director of the Year by the Georgia Athletic Director’s Association (G.A.D.A.). He has served on the G.A.D.A. Board of Directors for ten years. Mike has been an instructor and a presenter at several G.A.D.A. and N.I.A.A.A. conferences. In 2018 Mike Phillips received the Adapted Sports Programs in Recreation and Education (A.S.P.I.R.E.) Advocacy of the Year Award. Mike has been married to Dianne for forty years and they have three children, Kevin, Ryan, and Ashton. Mike and Dianne are also blessed to have two grandchildren. Mike’s influence goes well beyond his family and his career. He is an active Deacon and member of North Metro Baptist Church. He has served on mission trips to Nicaragua and Haiti, and he has served in the Jail Ministry at the Gwinnett County Jail for five years. Mike’s commitment and character have greatly influenced many people over the years and changed lives for the better.
