POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist Athletics Department is mourning the loss of Mike Malet, who passed away on Friday at the age of 74.
 
Malet worked in the Marist Athletics Department in a variety of roles spanning approximately a quarter-century. These included several positions as a coach and an administrator. His kindness and loyalty left an impression on everyone he met.
 
"I was very sad to learn that Coach Malet had passed away," Marist head football coach Jim Parady said. "Coach Malet was such an integral part of the early years of Marist football. His passion and commitment to his players and the program allowed the program to grow and thrive. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to work with him and continue our friendship after he left Marist. He was a special man with a big heart who would help you any way he could. Our thoughts go out to his family in this difficult time."
 
Malet was an assistant coach for Ron Levine during Marist's club football days in the 1970s, and became head coach when the program achieved varsity status in 1978. He served as head coach for 11 years, which included the program's first winning varsity season in 1985.
 
"For as good of a coach as he was, he was a better man," said Sean Keenan, who was a football team captain in 1986 and 1987, and is heading into his second season as head coach at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie. "He was a father figure to probably 80-90 guys a year, and I don't know if there's a more important job than that. Coach was a leader of men, and he had his own style. There are probably thousands of guys who went to Marist who he made a better person by his example.
 
"We still talk about him all the time because he was there for us no matter what happened. He disciplined us, but he always had our back. If you were loyal to him, he had your back no matter what."
 
Malet also served as head men's lacrosse coach for seven years. Following his tenure coaching both football and men's lacrosse, he remained in the department as Assistant and then Associate Athletics Director. He served as Marist's Interim Director of Athletics in the mid-1990s.
 
"Mike Malet was an integral part of Marist College Athletics, serving in many positions for over two decades," Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray said. "He had an incredible impact on the lives of so many young men and women throughout his career here in the Athletics Department and also in his time as a school administrator. Mike Malet will always be remembered fondly by the Marist Athletics Department, and his presence in the Hudson Valley community will be missed."
 
Following his time at Marist, Malet remained involved in administration and athletics in Dutchess County. He worked as an assistant principal at Arlington High School and principal at Arthur S. May grade school in the Arlington District. Malet also was involved with local lacrosse teams.
 
Calling hours will take place on Sunday, June 5 from 2-6 p.m. at Miller Funeral Home on 371 Hooker Avenue in Poughkeepsie. The funeral will be held on Monday, June 6 at St. Martin de Porres Church on 118 Cedar Valley Road in Poughkeepsie.