Michael Phelan, the former Burlington High School tennis and country club, has passed away after battling Alzheimer’s for the last couple of years. For decades, he guided players, built teams, and made a mark on Burlington tennis.
Phelan started coaching the Burlington High boys’ tennis team in 1978 with a 2–11 record.
Through dedication and consistency, he led the team to become Middlesex League champions in 1989, 1990, and 1991. By 1995, his record stood at 151–74.
Over time, he earned multiple Lowell Sun Coach of the Year honors and was named Boston Globe Division I All-Scholastic Coach of the Year in 1990.
The late coach also took an eight-year break from his coaching career, but later returned to coach the girls’ team from 2003 to 2007, leading them to their first Middlesex League title and the 2005 State Division II championship.
More than Just a Tennis Coach
These numbers only tell a part of the Coach’s story. Players and students remember Phelan for his humor, personality, and care.
“Coach was a great guy- I love tennis to this day because of him,” said Dana Streeper. Steven DiPerna wrote, “He was a fucking legend and will live in my memory forever as one of my most favorite teachers.”
Maureen Curtin Neiberger added, “He was such a nice guy — funny and just the perfect amount of weird.”
Apart from coaching Tennis, he was also a dedicated teacher, having taught math and computer science classes at BHS and Bay Path Community College.
Students remember his creativity: “He’s the one who got me into computers,” wrote Alison OBrien. Kevin David Clark said, “He taught the only math class that I ever liked.”
The coach also knew how to balance his private and professional life well. He was married to Sharon Phelan for over five decades and was a true family man and a friend who also had a massive smile on his face, no matter the circumstances.
Hundreds of students, colleagues, and family members have paid tribute and offered condolences to the Phelan family.
Susan Price added, “It was an honor to teach with him. Wonderful person!!! On my very first day of teaching at BHS, September 1980, he stopped me for a hall pass, thinking that I was a new student. Fast forward years later… we used to kid about that.”
Another student remembered Mike’s humor: ‘Mike told me that, ‘You are the second-best tennis player in school history. Everyone else was tied for first.’”
Funeral visitation hours will be held at Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington, on Monday, November 10, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
