Glacier High School has, in the last few years, seen several athletic and teaching mainstays step aside. In many cases — boys basketball, volleyball, girls track — it was the only head coach the Wolfpack had known since the school’s doors opened in 2007.

To that list add Mark Dennehy, who is retiring as the school’s activities director after 18 years.  

“We’ve had a great group of people,” he said Friday, on the eve of Glacier High’s graduation. “Lots of great kids, lots of great coaches. Lots of great parents. Lots of support from the community, that’s for sure.” 

The high school has had remarkable athletic success in its comparably short existence: State titles in boys golf (2007, 2012, 2023 and 2024), girls tennis (2010-11), wrestling (2011), boys tennis (2013 and 2021), football (2014), softball (2015, 2023 and last weekend), boys soccer (2017), boys basketball (2017), boys track (2018) and girls soccer (2020). 

Dennehy played some small part in that as well as several championship appearances, to say nothing of Glacier’s successful speech and debate and music programs. 

The Butte High graduate said nearly 1,400 students roam the halls at Glacier High. 

“Close to three-fourths of our student body is involved in some activity, whether it’s music, speech and debate, other clubs,” Dennehy said. “Kids are connected. That’s the thing — you want to provide kids with the chance to be involved and have a good experience and I think for the most part, we’ve done that.” 

There were highlights, Dennehy said, including seeing daughter McKayle and son Zach graduate from Glacier. McKayle was an All-State soccer player who now teaches at the school and is a soccer assistant coach; Zach, a banker, was a standout in wrestling, track and field and football, and was All-State on the 2013 football team that made the state AA title game. 

“Those were exciting times,” Dennehy said. “Coach (Mark) Harkins winning a state championship in basketball, and the football championship was very memorable as well. “Amazing players — ‘Singing in the Rain.’ Some great performances from kids, with kids doing different things and challenging themselves whether is in theatre or on the athletic field.” 

Including seven as Flathead High’s AD before going to Glacier, he’s spent 33 years in the school district. Which is plenty. 

“My wife, Kim,” Dennehy began. “She’s been patient through the years. I think it was time to spend a little more time with her and do things we haven’t had time to do because of the demands of the position. It was probably that particular piece that led to it. 

“Twenty-five years as an AD — it’s probably time for someone else to do those things.” 

The AD job ends at the end of this month; Dennehy will attend the AA meetings at the third week of June, along with his replacement as AD, Abby Snipes.  

He’ll remain as facilities director through the end of September. 

Dennehy thanked several people in leadership, past and present: Micah Hill. Brad Holloway. Callie Langohr, Lance Labrum, Allen Stanfield and Peter Fusaro. 

“I’m very grateful to the people that I worked with,” he said. “Coaches, our game workers. Volunteers. I’m just so blessed to work the many great people like that.”