Alumni Association

The primary function of the Alumni Association is to keep graduates in touch with the school community and publish notable achievements and accomplishments of our alumni.
Manual Today

Almost 2,000 students are currently enrolled at Manual, and the school draws and increasing number of applicants every year.

The News

Honoring Michael “Mike” Preston McDaniel

A Life Dedicated to Manual, Service, and the Game of Life

A message from Alumni Director Wes Jackson

Michael “Mike” Preston McDaniel, Class of 1964, passed away on October 13, 2025, leaving behind a legacy deeply rooted in faith, service, humor, and an unwavering love for duPont Manual High School.

Born in Horse Cave, Kentucky, on October 12, 1946, Mike moved with his family to Louisville in 1954. A proud Crimson, he graduated from Manual in 1964 before earning his bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University and his master’s from the University of Louisville. Over a 28-year career with the Louisville and Jefferson County Boards of Education, Mike shaped countless lives as an English and Journalism teacher, baseball coach, and athletic director at Iroquois High School, and later as an assistant principal at Fairdale High School.

But to the Manual family, Mike was far more than an educator—he was our historian, storyteller, and guardian of tradition. For 20 years, he served as Manual’s Director of Alumni, writing and publishing Stand Up and Cheer, the definitive history of our school. He was inducted into the Metro Area Athletic Directors Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Manual Hall of Fame in 2017. Most recently, a stone bearing his name was placed at Manual Stadium in recognition of his devotion to our Crimson community.

Mike had a keen wit, an encyclopedic knowledge of trivia, and one of the finest baseball collections in Kentucky. Equal parts historian and humorist, he designed his own baseball card this past June, working with fellow alum Terry Wilcoxson. True to form, the card captured both his love of the game and his philosophy of life. The front showed him proudly in his coaching uniform; the back featured the Sportsman’s Prayer, which he adopted as his personal credo:
“Dear God,
I have tried to be a sport in this game of life.
I didn’t ask for any easy place.
I only asked for the stuff to give one hundred percent of what I had.
I’ve taken the bad breaks as part of the game and understood that the game was full of knocks and trouble.
Thanks for helping me to play on the square...
I ask for no lying compliments.
I’d only like to know that I’ve been a game guy.”

Below that prayer, Mike made a request:
”In lieu of flowers, donations should be sent to the duPont Manual Alumni Association.”

Mike was a loving husband to Carolyn for 56 years, a devoted father to Amy and Kimberly, and a proud grandfather to Katie, Lilly, Mace, and Megan. He was many things—teacher, coach, author, historian, mentor—but above all, he was a Crimson who believed in giving back.
As an Association, we will honor Mike the best way we know how: by carrying forward the work he loved—supporting our students, preserving our history, and bringing alumni together.
In his memory, and at his request, we invite you to make a contribution to the duPont Manual Alumni Association. Your gift ensures that his legacy of service continues to make a difference for generations to come.

Thank you, Mike for your friendship and service.

Hall of Fame

The 31th annual Hall of Fame induction was held Sunday April 13th, 2025 at Wildwood Country Club.

This year's inductees are:
Michael Carter, Jr 1973, Angie McDonald 1987, Don Hillerich 1983, Mickey McGraw 1964, Ericka Malone 1990, Paul Reece 1960, Natalie Woods 1990, Mindy Shapero (last year's class but going in this year) 1993, Mina Todd - Coach and teacher.

Next year's induction ceremony will be sometime in mid April.

Want to nominate someone?

Hall of Fame Nomination forms can be obtained from the Alumni Office.

Click the HALL OF FAME link at the top of this page for a list of current Hall of Fame Members and criteria for selection.

The Hall of Fame Committee meets in October.