St. Paul Arlington Athletic Director Nancy Galligan Sounds Off

HSSTM: Tell us a little bit about your background.
Galligan: I grew up in the Highland Park neighborhood in St. Paul. I was one of eight children and had only one sister. I went to high school at Derham Hall and earned my bachelors degree in physical and health education at the University of Wisconsin Lacrosse. I taught physical and health education in St. Paul schools for 24 years and coached soccer, volleyball, basketball and badminton. I was a teacher on special assignment both in the schools doing administration and at the district level supervising athletics, aquatics and physical and health education teachers. I also worked for almost 20 years for Parks and Recreation in the Aquatics area.
HSSTM: What are some of the challenges of working in an inner-city school?
Galligan: Dealing with a transitory population and not knowing for sure who will be around to play the next season is difficult. I would love to see more parent involvement and wish kids could just be kids without adult responsibilities.
HSSTM: What are some of the opportunities that you have working in that environment?
Galligan: I have the privilege and pleasure of working with athletes from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Giving students opportunities they have never had before is exciting. I get to witness the partnership that develops between those who have had a lot of experience and those who are just starting out.
HSSTM: Who has been the greatest influence on your professional career?
Galligan: Bill Lynch, who was the athletic director at Johnson High School, helped lead my career in a new direction. He encouraged me to apply for a job at the district office where I helped supervise athletics, aquatics and physical and health education teachers.
HSSTM: What are your main goals for the student-athletes in your school?
Galligan: My main goals for the athletes are to have fun, hold themselves accountable and meet challenges instead of avoiding them. I want them to develop life-long skills such as dedication, cooperation and patience.
HSSTM: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Galligan: I love when athletes come back and visit after graduating. It is so rewarding to hear them say that they loved participating at Arlington, and that we, as an athletic program, were successful in developing life-long skills which helped them be prepared and successful in college.
HSSTM: What do you hope the kids say about you after they graduate?
Galligan: I hope students say that I made a positive difference in their lives. I want them to feel that I really cared about them as a person and not just as an athlete. I try to prepare all my students for the future.
HSSTM: What do you like to do outside of work?
Galligan: I love to spend time with my family and friends. I really enjoy being outdoors with my two dogs and two horses. I swim, ride my bike and rollerblade. I try to keep as active as possible.