St Mary’s Alumnus Awarded MBE in New Year Honours

St Mary’s University College, Twickenham alumnus Michael Dooling has been awarded MBE in the 2014 New Year’s Honours list for services to athletics in Merseyside. Michael, who studied Physical Education and Geography at St Mary’s from 1968 to 1971, was heavily involved in the University College’s cross country group while studying; serving in a number of roles including captain for one of his three years. Michael was also a keen marathon runner (with a personal best time of 2 hours 26 minutes) and has been a member of the Liverpool Harriers and Athletics Club for over 50 years in many different roles. After graduating from the University College, Michael returned to Merseyside where he taught for 40 years, retiring in 2010 and has been heavily involved in grass roots athletics during this time. In 1980, he worked as part of a team to host the English Schools Athletics Championships, held in Kirby. Since then he has been involved in the English Schools Athletics Association in various roles including team management and became Chairman in 2010, as well as holding the position as Track and Field Secretary. He has also acted as England Athletics Team Manager for the first Commonwealth Youth Games, held in Edinburgh in 2000 and has been a track official for over 30 years with officiating roles in the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, and more recently the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Michael, who was torch bearer for the London 2012 Olympics commented, “Over the early years I enjoyed getting involved as part of the team and has so many people who helped me on my way. As time progressed, opportunities were presented, which I took and things have progressed from there to give me the many positions I still enjoy and share with others in the wider athletics community. “I feel very fortunate to have been nominated for this awarded, which the family are all delighted with and will carry on until I feel I can no longer contribute to the sport. My father, who was also a St Mary’s student from 1936 to 1938, would have been delighted.”