Ed King, Behind The Scenes of DeMatha Athletics

Nudged in the upstairs hallway of The Convocation Center, Ed King, DeMatha Catholic High School’s athletic director, sits swamped behind a desk of papers and a ringing telephone. 

“I like to stay behind the scenes, I don’t go out with my chest pumped,” said King, who prides himself on being a low key figure within DeMatha’s high-profile sports program. King, in his eighth year as the athletic director, is responsible for overseeing 15 sports and winning over 20 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championships.

King is from Pittsburgh and played linebacker for the University of South Carolina. He graduated with a degree in teaching and came to DeMatha in 1982 after his wife, who grew up in Adelphi, told him about the teaching opportunity.

“I was living in a part of South Carolina that was really close to Georgia,” said King. “It makes Hyattsville look like a big city. One time I walked into a small store and wanted to buy a pair of pants but I didn’t have the money. The owner said, just take the pants and pay him back later. The South was just different.”

At DeMatha King has taught world history, United States history, physical education, and health. He also coached swimming for eight years and football for 28 years. Today King no longer teaches or coaches but he spends his time managing the facilities and supervising the athletic teams.

Since he’s been at DeMatha King has overseen the introduction of four sports, including water polo, crew, lacrosse, and rugby. “It’s a pleasure working with Ed,” said Elijah Brooks, DeMatha head football coach. “He taught and coached me at DeMatha as a student 11 years ago. He is definitely a mentor in many areas.”

King’s biggest criticism, according to Brooks, is that the athletic department is too small to keep up with the school’s demand. “We are limited in staff in some areas, he is asked to do a lot which can impact the functioning of the athletic department,” said Brooks.  

One example where more supervision may have been helpful would have been the football scandal in September 2012, when five players hired prostitutes while at an away game in North Carolina. All of the student athletes withdrew or were dismissed from DeMatha shortly after but the story appeared in the Washington Post and Gazette among other media outlets.

With such a diverse and high profile program King has a demanding job but even he admits DeMatha athletics are changing. “You look at the kids and you look at the coaches, and if you don’t have the talent then it’s different,” said King. Factors such as finances and increased talent at other schools have changed DeMatha’s dynamic. 

King’s teams have yet to snag a championship this school year but he said he appreciates the balanced competition from the rest of the WCAC. Jerian Grant, DeMatha alumni and shooting guard for the University of Notre Dame who summed up King said, “He’s cool. He’s a hard worker and a funny guy.”