Falcon Flashback | Jimmy Mahan
Before he became a sports memorabilia icon and social media sensation, Jimmy Mahan was the leader of O’Neal’s Upper School in the early 2000s. Nearly 20 years later, Mr. Mahan remains one of the most beloved figures in the School’s history. In this edition of the “Falcon Flashback,” Mr. Mahan reminisces about his time at O’Neal and the impact it had on his unique and crazy journey.
Mahan!!! What an honor. Let’s dig right in. When were you at O’Neal, and what did you do while you were there?
O’Neal was my first job out of college, so that first year would have been 2000. I took a year off in there to work for Tubby Smith and the Kentucky men’s basketball team (which was incredible), and then came back for 4 more glorious years at O’Neal. Here are the bullet points….
9th grade English Teacher
10th grade English teacher
10th grade history for part of the year
Electives (one of my favorite things to teach!)
Film Criticism
Public Speaking
Heroes and Villains
Varsity Basketball Coach
Middle School Girls Soccer Coach, 1 hysterical season
Head of the Upper School
You have to keep this one somewhat tight, but can you give us a summary of what you’re up to these days?
Ok, this is HARD to keep short. It’s a lot of things, but the simplest version is I own 4 Baseball Card Shops across the United States and 1 in Bogota, Colombia (selling mainly Soccer Cards!) The story of how I got here is wild and long so I know you don’t have room for it. I suppose you could say it’s my new vehicle for teaching! Instead of a classroom and Frankenstein, it’s a card shop and Stephen Curry. Another way and avenue to lift a person’s day!
And I’m currently living in Lexington, Kentucky with my wife, Cathy… surrounded by a bunch of wonderful people, living a dream and loving life.
People are still talking about your office décor from your time at O’Neal. Do you have anything that you displayed at O’Neal that is now on display at your shop in Lexington?
Oh sweet Lord YES! And I have gifts that students gave me in my Kentucky shop! (I’m looking at you Leah Kelly and Steph White! They signed a UK Pillow that’s still in my shop here!) But YES! I had a Tayshaun Prince signed jersey in my office at O’Neal, and that is up on the shop wall along with a myriad of autographed basketball items that sat on my desk in Southern Pines! I mean the answer is ALL of what was in my office is here now because I would never let any of it leave!
Looking back, you were really young when you became the Head of the Upper School at O’Neal. And you were so great at it. Was there anyone in particular who you leaned on for guidance and support during that time?
Oh. My. Goodness. YES. It starts with Robin Prim, the indomitable life saver that she is and was born to be. It extends to the wisdom of Beth Whitman, the comfort and laughter of Blanche Hancock and Woody Wilder, the utter joy of being around Lyn Cagle at school and on trips abroad. The care and love of Cindi Carr, Bob Howell and Chris Miller taught me so much from the first day through Head of Upper School days…and I adore Beth Garrison, always have, always will. And her New York to my Kentucky was SO fun to mix as friends! My goodness, this list never stops because when you’re so young and you want to serve and help, but YOU are the youngest, it’s not dependent on your talents, it’s based on the acceptance and willingness of those around you to accept, rally, and push forward with you. And I am telling you, I was surrounded by THE BEST. That Upper School faculty could have taken over a small country with the wisdom, intelligence and sheer love within those walls.
That is so good, Mahan. Absolutely love that. Have you been in touch with any O’Neal friends, students or colleagues since you moved away from the Sandhills area?
Oh ABSOLUTELY! From weddings to football games! A bunch of the folks above keep in touch and certainly some students who now have kids (WHAT?!) check in and say hey and they have no idea how much it lifts my day! And every once in a while, not often, but I’ll get a text or a message from someone saying “Mr. Mahan, a Frankenstein movie just came on TV and they messed this up! We had this pegged in class!” And that makes my day.
Thank you, my man. We need some photos to complete this interview. Old and new. I know we’re twisting your arm here.
Oh man, time to go digging! Thank YOU. I could do this forever with my old O’Neal crew! You know, I have always told people, I feel like my time at O’Neal was so wonderful, so impactful, that it set me on such great paths in life. My wife, Cathy, has heard all these stories. But it was so integral to me because of the folks around me. The faculty, the parents, the students…they set my life on a wonderful path when I was so young and will be utterly grateful for them forever. I wish I could sit all of them down individually and say a heartfelt, specific “Thank You.” So I hope they see this and understand, all of it, good days, bad days, they ALL led me here and I am GRATEFUL for them.
THANK YOU, Mahan!!! People are going to love this. Thanks for all you gave to O’Neal and thanks for continuing to make us proud.
About the author:
Jared Lina (Class of 1997) never overlapped at O’Neal with Mahan, but they met in the 1990s at Camp Sea Gull and have remained close friends for over 30 years.
Want to nominate someone to Falcon Flashback? Email: alumni@onealschool.org.
About the author:
Jared Lina (Class of 1997) never overlapped at O’Neal with Mahan, but they met in the 1990s at Camp Sea Gull and have remained close friends for over 30 years.
Want to nominate someone to Falcon Flashback? Email: alumni@onealschool.org.
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