LEWISTOWN — On most nights, long before the first whistle, opening pitch or kickoff, Mifflin County High School Athletic Director Tish Maclay’s work was already finished.

Schedules were confirmed. Officials lined up. Eligibility checked. Transportation handled.

By the time Husky teams took the field or court, everything that could go wrong had already been accounted for — somewhere in a spreadsheet, an email thread or a quiet conversation earlier in the day.

That was the part people didn’t see.

“The second part of the day for an AD begins when the games and competitions take place,” the 55-year-old Maclay said. “It is important for the AD to be present to support the student-athletes, coaches and community.”

For more than 30 years, that rhythm — preparation first, presence second — defined her time in Mifflin County athletics.

Now, Maclay has decided to step down from that role, retiring as athletic director effective June 30, 2026. Mifflin County has hired Robert Lepley, who has served as the assistant athletic director for the past six years, as her replacement.

From player to coach to AD

A 1989 graduate of Indian Valley High School, Maclay went on to play field hockey at Elizabethtown College. She later coached at Juniata College before coming to Mifflin County in 1995 to take over the Huskies field hockey program.

She still winces at the memory of her players competing on the grassy, uneven field across from the former Sentinel building. When the new $18.5 million Huskies Multi-Plex Complex was completed, Maclay described seeing the athletes, especially field hockey players, was euphoric.

“It was so great to see the players have the opportunity that I pushed for over 25 years,” she shared. “It’s so great to see our student-athletes have these beautiful facilities to experience.”

Maclay officially became athletic director on July 1, 2015, but by then the job wasn’t new. She had already spent years working through the system in different roles — coach, official, teacher and parent — learning every angle along the way.

“I became AD when the job opened,” she said. “I applied and went into the interview with nothing to lose.”

It’s a simple answer, but it reflects the way her career unfolded — no single defining moment, just steady involvement that eventually led to the top job.

Building something better

When she stepped into the role, she carried a clear and practical set of priorities.

“My goal at the time was to bring turf to MC, upgrade our facilities, create more equity between girls and boys sports, and provide coaches with the support they needed to develop our student-athletes,” Maclay said.

Over time, those goals became reality. Facilities improved. Playing surfaces changed. The look and feel of Mifflin County athletics evolved.

“The facilities have and will continue to make a huge difference in MC athletics,” she said. “They provide a source of pride and help to even the playing field with our opponents.”

A changing landscape

While the upgrades were visible, much of the job remained behind the scenes.

“Athletics have changed tremendously during my time as AD,” she said.

Paper forms disappeared. Communication moved online. Systems replaced face-to-face coordination.

“We have implemented social media, online registration and apps for all aspects of scheduling,” Maclay said. “Most of an AD’s job is behind a computer dealing with logistics — planning, scheduling, eligibility.”

The job didn’t get easier — just more complex.

Still, she never saw it as an office job. She made it a point to be present — on fields, in gyms, along sidelines.

Perspective through time

Over time, that consistency became part of the program’s foundation.

Maclay also saw broader changes.

“The culture and attitude of athletes have changed,” she said. “Today, coaches must work much harder to create a team culture.”

“We have great people in Mifflin County,” she added. “When everyone works together toward a common goal and keeps interscholastic athletics in perspective, there is much that can be accomplished.”

A lasting presence

Over 31 years, the routine carried thousands of practices, games, bus trips and seasons that rarely went as planned.

Through it all, Maclay handled the details that made everything else possible.

There isn’t one defining moment. It builds gradually. In the mornings. In the adjustments. In the quiet presence on the sideline. Now, that routine will continue without her.

But what she leaves behind isn’t just upgrades or systems. It’s continuity.

“I am grateful and proud to have been a part of Mifflin County Athletics for over 31 years,” she said.

For many, her presence was easy to overlook. Until it’s gone. And that’s when it becomes clear.

Future endeavors

Maclay is planning to stay busy. She has accepted a new position with Arbiter, also known as ArbiterSports, which is a sports and school activity management software company based in Sandy, Utah. It provides scheduling, registration, payment and eligibility solutions for athletic departments, school districts and officiating organizations.