John "Mags" Magadini

Abstract

"Affectionately known as “Mags” within the Pingry community, John Magadini was Head Coach of the boys’ ice hockey team for 20 years. A lifelong coach who brought decades of experience to the bench when he joined Big Blue, Mags continues working with the team as Assistant Coach / Head Coach Emeritus.

A passionate coach and competitor, Mags cares more about the size of the fight in his players’ hearts than he does about their physical size on the ice. For over two decades, he has been teaching the values of honesty, hard work, sportsmanship, determination, leadership, and the importance of a team-first attitude. As a proud Marine known for his enthusiastic “Oorah” rallying calls, Mags is equally well-known for his kindness and strength of character—qualities that have earned him the admiration of his players and colleagues and the respect of his opponents. Mags led the hockey team from 1996-2016 and posted a record of 221-201-42. During his tenure, Big Blue won consecutive Skyland Cup Championships (2011 and 2012) and played in a combined 12 county and state prep finals. Mags was named Hockey Coach of the Year by both the NJSIAA (2004) and the Courier News (2010). He is a member of both the NJ High School Hockey Hall of Fame (2012) and the NJ Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2013). Pingry’s first coaching endowment was established in 2016 and named in his honor.

An accomplished college athlete, Mags won NCAA titles at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in lacrosse (1952) and hockey (1954). He earned 10 varsity letters (football, hockey, and lacrosse), received Honorable Mention All-American honors in lacrosse (1955), and was inducted into the RPI Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986."