Mike Grier ’93, P’22 Receives NEPSAC Souders Award

During the NEPSAC Annual Meeting on Friday, November 17, Mike Grier ’93, P’22 was honored as the recipient of the 2023 Martin William Souders Memorial Award. This award is given annually to a graduate of a New England Independent School who made a distinguished record in sports and who has since made a distinguished record in life through high ideals, leadership and accomplishments. Grier has certainly demonstrated these traits during his remarkable career as a hockey player, scout, coach and executive.  

During Grier’s playing days at St. Sebastian’s, the Arrows won back-to-back ISL Championships and while at Boston University, he helped lead the Terriers to a National Championship as well as back-to-back Hockey East Championships. He was the first African-American player, both born and trained in the United States, to make it to the NHL where he played 14 seasons. In July 2022, shortly after his son Jayden ’22 graduated from St. Sebastian’s, Grier became general manager of the San Jose Sharks, once again making NHL history as the league’s first Black general manager.  

This prestigious award was established in 1967 in memory of Martin William Souders, Director of Physical Education at Milton Academy, 1919–1929, and at Phillips Exeter Academy, 1930–1962, and the first President of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council, in recognition of his leadership, vision, dedication and the constant and valuable contributions which he made to the cause and stature of Physical Education and Athletics among New England Independent Schools. Past recipients of the award include George H.W. Bush, Bill Belichick and Travis Roy.  

“I am extremely humbled and honored to receive the NEPSAC Souders Award,” shared Grier. “The decision to attend St. Sebastian’s changed my life. I am forever grateful for the lessons I learned there and to be part of the St. Sebastian’s community.” Congratulations, Mike, on this well-deserved accolade!