From Severn School Student-Athlete To Athletic Director

Author Thomas Wolfe wrote a 1940 novel entitled “You Can’t Go Home Again.”

Severn School athletic director and Severna Park resident Julian Domenech dispelled that belief and came home 16 years ago to direct the Admirals’ athletic department.

Domenech originally moved to Severna Park from Massachusetts in 1967 when he was 9 months old. His dad, Julian Sr., accepted a teaching position in Severn’s language department, became head of the department, and advanced to assistant headmaster.

When Domenech was growing up, he lived close to Severn’s campus.

“Severn’s athletic fields were my front yard,” Domenech said. “As a child, (I) lived across the street from campus, and now as an adult, I live within walking distance of the school.”

Domenech played soccer, basketball and lacrosse at Severn and received an athletic scholarship to Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, North Carolina. His athletic achievements resulted in his being placed in the Hall of Fame for both schools.

“I chose Pfeiffer because I wanted to play both soccer and lacrosse in college,” Domenech said. “I really liked Pfeiffer because it reminded me of Severn, only had about 1,000 students, and had great academic and athletic programs.”

In addition to playing two collegiate sports, Domenech was a resident advisor and a resident director in the college’s resident halls during his four years at Pfeiffer.

Domenech also met his wife, Erin, while at Pfeiffer. She competed in field hockey and swimming for the university. Currently, Erin is a physical education teacher as well as Severn’s boys and girls swimming coach.

After Domenech graduated from Pfeiffer in 1989, the college asked him to coach the men’s soccer team for three years. He accepted and then coached the golf team for one year and progressed to lead the women’s lacrosse program for five years. Domenech also handled the college’s fundraising efforts.

He was on a recruiting trip to a junior college tournament at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) to evaluate players for possible transfers to Pfeiffer when he heard about the vacant athletic director position at Severn School.

“A former Severn School board member, Doug Lagarde, told me about the AD (athletic director) position and asked if I was interested,” Domenech said. “I had so many outstanding memories of Severn and Severna Park, as well as many long-standing friendships in the area. It was an easy choice to come home.”

Those childhood memories included riding bikes through Severna Park, fishing and crabbing on the Severn River, and frequenting old Severna Park stores like Listman’s on Earleigh Heights Road.

That community pride is still paramount with Domenech. He continually works with several youth sports programs as well as AACC on sharing his facility.

“Over the last decade, I’ve had the great privilege of working with Julian in various capacities and have admired his professionalism and support,” said AACC Athletic Director Duane Herr. “Julian has been a tremendous friend to AACC athletics in times of need and collaboration.”

Severn has also hosted numerous college lacrosse games over the years so out-of-state squads could play when they needed a neutral site.

Domenech knows firsthand the value of professional relationships and being able to call on a favor to find facilities. During his time at Pfeiffer, he scheduled many games in Maryland during spring break so he could recruit high school and junior college players to come to Pfeiffer.

“Julian was an outstanding coach and does a great job as Severn’s AD,” said AACC women’s lacrosse head coach Jim Griffiths. “He’s coached some of my former players and is an extremely hard worker and is well-liked and respected by his peers and student-athletes.”

Domenech is responsible for nearly 50 sports at the Evergreen Road campus. He fills his days with a continual barrage of phone calls, texts, meetings and emails. He is never far from electronic devices during his fast-paced days.

“One of my biggest challenges each day is putting out fires,” Domenech said. “Communication is vital with my coaches and student-athletes, and anytime during the day, something does pop up.”

Severn’s coaches sincerely appreciate Domenech’s thoroughness, accessibility and desire to attend every Severn School home game.

“When Julian hired me back in 2010, I never could have imagined the impact our relationship would have on both my career and Severn’s soccer program,” said Severn School boys soccer head coach Mike McCarthy. “Julian’s leadership, vision and commitment to excellence have always inspired me, and his dedication to Severn’s student-athletes is unmatched.”

Domenech’s 12- to 14-hour days are also filled with pride, satisfaction and humility at being able to work at the same school he attended.

“The athletic success that Severn has achieved is a tribute to the good coaches we’ve hired over the years,” he said. “The coaches work hard at bringing in the right students who are a great fit for us both athletically and academically.”

In the last few years, Severn athletics has taken many of its athletic programs to new heights, including football moving up to the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) B Conference and the boys basketball team being ranked in the Baltimore area’s top 20 teams.

“I’m excited about the great achievements we made in the last few years, but we’ve also had big improvements in some of our other sports like field hockey and cross country,” Domenech said.

Many Severn School students play multiple sports and attend one another’s games with exuberance. During a recent boys basketball game, former football and basketball players who were home for Christmas break attended the game to say hello to their former teammates and coaches.

“It’s always great to see former players come back to campus and get to catch up with their lives,” Domenech said. “That’s who Severn is: a small school that is supportive and caring.”

That support is also felt by members of Domenech’s coaching staff, who know that he is only a phone call or text away for advice or assistance.

“It has been a wonderful experience working with Julian and it’s reassuring to know that he will guide us now and in the future,” said Severn School varsity boys basketball head coach Michael Glasby.

Domenech came back home to be part of what makes Severna Park unique: community pride; close, long-standing friendships; doing favors for neighbors in times of need; as well as the herculean bond he has with Severn School.