Stag Symposium

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 4, Episode 5. Publication date 11/2/26

Mike Ptomey adds another honor to his list of teaching awards as he was honored as DeMatha’s Veteran Teacher of the Year at last week’s HSPA Mass and Affinity Group gathering. Dan and Mike take a deep dive into teaching, recognition, honors, and awards.

Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.

The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.

Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 22nd year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 46th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 4, Episode 4. Publication date 10/19/26

Stag Symposium talks with Michael Roberts who tells us of his interesting journey to DeMatha. Mike has experience in math, physics, engineering, prototyping, robotics, beer-making, and rowing–to name only a few. It is awards season and Mike will be recognized at the HSPA gathering on October 30 as DeMatha’s Novice Teacher of the Year. Experience Mike’s boundless curiosity and passion for learning.

Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.

The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.

Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 22nd year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 46th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 4, Episode 3. Publication date 10/5/26

Stag Symposium talks with Bryce Bevill, the interim football coach, Assistant Dean of Students, and DeMatha graduate class of 1990. A Syracuse University graduate, Bryce played professionally in the CFL and then served as a counselor at DeMatha. He coached at Bishop McNamara, collegiately, and professionally. He is an in-demand speaker on football and faith and establishing culture in sports programs.

Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.

The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.

Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 22nd year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 46th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 4, Episode 2. Publication date 9/21/26

Stag Symposium welcomes a truly gifted and extraordinary teacher, Paul Clark ‘01. Paul teaches AP Literature (seniors) and Honors American Lit (sophomores). He has taught numerous other classes and he co-chairs the department. Paul takes us through his journey to DeMatha as a 9th grader and then his journey back to DeMatha to begin a career that places him among the best to ever hold a dry-erase marker.  Paul and Mike coached JV-B lacrosse for 4 years and we get to hear about that, too.

Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.

The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.

Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 22nd year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 46th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 4, Episode 1. Publication date 9/7/26

The 4th season of Stag Symposium opens with a recap of summer reads, watches, plans and projects and highlights from the year. We expect to return for a new season on September 7, 2026. 

Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.

The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.

Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 22nd year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 46th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 3, Episode 21. Publication date 6/15/26

The 3rd season of Stag Symposium wraps up with a discussion of summer plans and projects and highlights from the year. We expect to return for a new season on September 7, 2026. 

Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.

The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.

Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 3, Episode 20. Publication date 6/1/26

Andrew Bright ‘03 joins the podcast to talk about his varied career in teaching, coaching, and college counseling. 

Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.

The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.

Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 3, Episode 19. Publication date 5/18/26

Mike and Dan talk about “coverage” vs.”mastery”; the impact of technology; and which texts are the first ones into your heart and mind. 

Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.

The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.

Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 3, Episode 18. Publication date 5/4/26

Mike G. Jones joins the podcast to talk about his journey to DeMatha from Oklahoma, from TCU, from overseas, from the NBA, from st. Stephens St. Agnes. The discipline of the many and the one, teaching team concepts, and evaluating players and teams are all part of a coach’s job.

Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.

The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.

Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76

Stag Symposium ([email protected]) 

Show Notes Season 3, Episode 17. Publication date 4/20/26

Rich Blorstad ‘10 joins the podcast to talk about his work in Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Math–and crew. 

Music: Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter” as played by the DeMatha Wind Ensemble.

The thumbnail icon was designed by Rob Landini ‘00.

Host Biographies: Mr. Michael Ptomey is in his 21st year teaching. A DeMatha grad, class of ’98, he has taught English, Social Studies, and is currently the Chair of the Theology department. Mike has coached lacrosse and moderated clubs; he has won numerous awards for his teaching.

Dr. Daniel McMahon is in his 45th year of teaching and serves as principal at DeMatha. Dan teaches World Literature and has coached basketball and softball and has moderated numerous clubs. He is a DeMatha grad, class of ’76