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House Mackavage: How Mikelyn Mackavage is conquering the basketball world (Mechanicsburg, PA)

 

Mikelyn Mackavage coaching an East Pennsboro game on the sidelines during the 2023-2024 season (Sean Simmers/PennLive)

MECHANICSBURG, PA -- The Targaryen name has held power through Westeros, but many centuries later, a new queen has arrived in the modern day.

Mikelyn Mackavage is a high school basketball coach who is an assistant at East Pennsboro Area High School. She was a former player who was a standout at East Penn from 2007 to 2011, then furthered her career at the collegiate stage with the DeSales Bulldogs. Mackavage is the first female guest in the RMN network.

So, just to clear this up, Mackavage has heard it all. That she's a sneakerhead, comedian, or that you think she probably just graduated college let alone high school. I don't know if she'll ever beat the allegations with that one, but what I do know is that there isn't anybody who best embodies what it means to be selfless.

Being in the background the last two years, I first witnessed Mackavage on the sidelines during one of the Panthers' games. I believe it was against Littlestown, featuring Chris Meakin at the time, but I was at the East Penn's holiday tournament and just like anybody else would have thought, I didn't believe for one second that she was a coach. She has gotten asked if she was a trainer before, true story:

"A couple of times last year, I got asked if I was the team trainer, and I had to say, ‘No, I’m a coach.’" Mackavage told PennLive's Dan Sostek, in an article from January 2024.

Bringing it back to focus, Mackavage has stepped into the art of coaching to give back and preach success especially within the youth. Always seeing the amount of respect people have for her, Mackavage has an unselfish attitude while continuing to learn ways to stay involved with the game. Whether it's roles at East Pennsboro, Mid Penn Motion to networking in a former life as a grad assistant for East Stroudsburg University, she has taken up any opportunity that she can get in order to impact a life. The most impressive part, though? No matter the situation, whether in the win or loss column in a program, she has stayed loyal and in high spirits as she is one of the most positive people that I've come across.

Much stronger than me as the tantrum is crazy.

The RPN caught up with Mackavage in a discussion about her basketball journey, sports psychology and impact on the next generation. 

Mikelyn Mackavage Interview
Tyreese Smith: "Hi Mike! Welcome to the show. Let's get started. How did your coaching journey begin?

Mikelyn Mackavage: "Hi Tyreese, I first started my coaching journey in 2016 as a graduate assistant for the East Stroudsburg Women’s Basketball Team. Was under Coach Diane Decker at the time. My friend, Marla Simmons, was the assistant coach at the time, and she gave me a call asking if I’d like to be their GA and receive my masters while I was there. Honestly, if it wasn’t for Marla and Diane giving me that chance as being a GA, I don’t think I would have gotten involved or fell in love with coaching. I didn’t realize how much I missed basketball until I was standing on the court again. I learned so much from those two that I can’t thank them enough for allowing me to be a part of the ESU program. After I received my Masters in 2018, I went on to coach at St Theresa’s under Coaches, Kevin Cicak, and Tammi and Dwayne Jones until 2021. Those three are amazing coaches as that was a fun few years. Now, I coach for the East Pennsboro High School Boys Team as the Head JV and Assistant Varsity Coach. I also coach Mid Penn Motion girls in the summer, just finishing up with the 2025’s. Very huge thank you to Coach Brandon Rowe for bringing me on the EP team."


Tyreese Smith: "How would you describe yourself as a coach?"

Mikelyn Mackavage: "I would say I am more of an encouraging and optimistic coach instead of a 'yeller.' Sometimes, I think you get further with encouragement and showing the player what they did wrong. Basketball is a game of failure and I try really stress that to my team. They are going to make mistakes, turn the ball over, miss, etc and it’s okay. It’s more so on how you respond and regroup after the mistake. The only time I will ever yank someone and 'yell' is when a mistake does happen, and they do not hustle back on defense or try and stop the ball. I found out over my years of coaching that encouragement goes a long way with kids because they just want to succeed. I always say 'that is in the past, look forward to the next play and what you can do.'"


Tyreese Smith: "You have seen both sides of the coin coaching both, boys and girls. What are some similarities and differences that you have noticed? Especially as a younger coach."

Mikelyn Mackavage: "This is a great question and I love coaching both, but they are so different."

"Boys are fast and will run through a wall for you," She continued. "Whereas girls are more fundamentally sound, and will actually listen when I’m explaining a drill *laughs*. Boys are more talented in the sense that they are just overall stronger, faster and can dunk and what not. Are also very good at quick thinking with fast breaks, or getting a steal on the defensive end. Girls will set up plays and run them through completely, until they get the best shot. They will also slow down the play to regroup. They both have that grit and power to win and will do anything in their power to do so. Each team will listen when it’s crunch time and I have to draw up a crazy play, but most importantly they both all have fun and build each other up. This is a interesting topic to discuss because they are both so different. I could never choose who I like coaching more because of their differences."


Tyreese Smith: "Outside of basketball, you are involved within the community. Breaking it down for us, what are your other interests going on in life?"

Mikelyn Mackavage: "I have recently co-hosted with John Henry on his podcast, Good Hustle. We had the opportunity interview the great, Olivia Jones, who is making a very important lifetime decision tomorrow, on all her success. It was a great experience to be on the other side and ask certain questions. I will admit though, basketball does take up a lot of my time, but I'm also involved with the God Luv Ya Foundation! They bring awareness to and raise money for the research and treatment of all cancers. My mom’s best friend, MaryLynn Bushman, both her parents passed away from cancer within a month of each other. They always said, 'God Luv Ya'. I help with the golf tournaments each year to help raise money, along with my parents. t’s a great foundation and I love the whole Bushman and Eager families."


Tyreese Smith: "To my understanding, you are also a former player turned coach. Let's dive back in the past, shall we. Playing at East Penn, then moving onto DeSales, how was your career growing up?"

Mikelyn Mackavage: "I had a great four years at East Pennsboro. We won the division in 2009, and I also hold the 3-Point record for the girls. What made it most memorable was the team and the best friends I made and still have. We wouldn’t have done as well as we did if it wasn’t for my teammates and everyone playing a huge part. I loved every minute of it."

"DeSales was also a great experience." She continued. "Best four years of my life *laughs*. I was mainly a 3 point shooter, but unfortunately I did get hurt a few times. Like I said above it’s not about playing. It was the friendships I made along the way that will last a life time. The best part of college was being apart of the basketball team, and always having that family to turn too. I can always reach out to Coach Fred Richter for anything."


Tyreese Smith: "I have been testing you all interview, but what would you say has been your most memorable experience by far?"

Mikelyn Mackavage: "Really tough question. All the experiences have been memorable, but my most memorable by far was this past year coaching the JV team for the first time. After the season, I had parents come up to me, and say how much their child has learned from me and the impact I had on them. There were no words to describe how that made me feel, but as a coach, that’s all you want to do. Brought a tear to my eye actually. You want to see the kids go on, be successful and do anything in your power to help them."


Tyreese Smith: What keeps Mikelyn Mackavage going? Who would you consider your role models?
 
Mikelyn Mackavage: "I have three role models in my life. My dad he has been there since day 1, since I could hold a basketball up at Adam’s Ricci with the double rims shooting with me, until the sun went down. Always in my corner no matter what."

"My mom because she is a warrior. She has survived ovarian cancer, bowel obstruction and two brain aneurysms. She is the strongest person I know and if she can do it, I can do it. I wish I had half of her strength."

"Lastly, my grandfather as he passed away in 2017, and man do I miss him. He was a professional boxer who coached in the 1996 Olympics. Also, the President of the Middle Atlantic Boxing Association, Chief collegiate Official, Tournament Director for the PA Golden Gloves, Professional Judge and referee . He was the most humble, giving man I have ever met and gave the best advice. I could turn to him for anything, even the most smallest thing, he would help out. I sure did miss him, but I know he is guiding me along the way."

"Those three keep me going, along with my brothers Mike and Alex, who have also pushed me through out my basketball career and continue to support me!"


Tyreese Smith: "Heading into a new division this year while returning heads, East Penn is an interesting case for the winter. What are expectations heading into the season?"

Mikelyn Mackavage: "I have some pretty high expectations this year. As you said we moved divisions and bumped up to 5A, so I’m expecting us to be successful. Playoffs is our main goal. We missed it by a fraction last year. This year I believe we will make it because we have an older and more experienced team. I believe if we play as a team and play smart, we can out run most and make a name for ourselves."

"Be on the look out for Dayrell Everett, though." She continued. "He's a senior guard who hit 1,000 points last year. Very shifty with the ball and can make a scoring opportunity out of anything. Also pay attention to Haydn Lay. He's our 6’4" shooting guard who can shoot the lights out of any gym. If those two get hot, watch out. I’m all around excited, should be a very good year."

Editor's note: Little does she know, what I know.


Tyreese Smith: "Who is the real Mikelyn Mackavage at the end of the day?"

Mikelyn Mackavage: "The real me. Who is the real me? I would say very fun, out going, and a loving person, who tries to see the best in everybody. I also have a very good sneaker game."

Editor's note: Beyond cringe 😐


Tyreese Smith: "Thank you Mikelyn for taking the time to talk to me. Do you have any words of encouragement or motivation for people? Any last words?"

Mikelyn Mackavage: "I want to thank you for this opportunity, you have been great. Keep pushing forward no matter what, and always look ahead. Listen to words of advice and take criticism. Coaches, mentors, even parents want best for you. Also, for myself, I am never done learning. This is just the beginning for me. I take it all in, the good and the bad."


Media Coverage on Mikelyn Mackavage
East Pennsboro’s Mikelyn Mackavage blazing trail coaching boys basketball at alma mater


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Location: Enola, PA, USA

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