On a frigid morning in January 1977, Midshipman Phil McConkey ‘79 marched with his company at the inauguration of President Jimmy Carter in Washington D.C. It was an honor bestowed on the Color Company, the highest ranking company at the U.S. Naval Academy. It was a momentous occasion for a young football player, who eventually went on to become a Navy pilot and a Super Bowl-winning wide receiver. Little did he know, his daughter, May McConkey ‘25, would follow in his footsteps and find herself marching in the funeral procession of President Jimmy Carter, on an equally cold and wet January morning, 48 years later. These two Navy student-athletes walked very different paths to earn their letter sweater, but shared similar challenges along the way.
Phil McConkey was an under-sized football player from Buffalo, NY. He was recruited by the Naval Academy but had to work hard every day to earn playing time. Beating Army three of his four years on the team, Phil still had something to prove after graduation. So, after serving as a Navy Pilot, he tackled his dream of trying out for the NFL. With some help from the Belichicks to secure an invite to the New York Giants training camp, Phil impressed the coaches with his hustle and determination, eventually earning a spot on the roster. His NFL career was highlighted with a touchdown catch which helped the Giants secure its first Super Bowl victory.
Phil attributes much of his grit and determination to his time at Navy and noticed the same characteristics in his daughter. He was proud of May for accepting her Offer of Appointment from the Naval Academy, but knew of the challenges that lay ahead. “I think May’s plebe summer was tougher on me than her,” joked Phil McConkey. “I was a nervous wreck. But May is stronger and tougher than I was. I babied her throughout her childhood, so her mother gets all the credit for making her mentally and emotionally tough.”
May shared her main worry about plebe summer, “I was most afraid of the detailers finding out who my dad was…and sure enough, on day one, I was already singled out from the other plebes.”
Unlike her father, May McConkey was not a recruited athlete coming out of high school. She admits she was a “mediocre athlete, at best” when she arrived on the Yard. But, she joined the club marathon team to stay in shape and fuel her competitive drive. Through lots of training, she continued to build endurance and stamina. After breaking the Navy women’s marathon record and qualifying for the 2025 Boston Marathon, the varsity coaches decided she should walk on to the cross country and track teams. Her only full season with the track squad led to a fourth place finish at the Patriot League Championships and the fastest 10k time for the Midshipmen.
Earning a varsity letter in track & field is something this father and daughter have in common. During Phil’s youngster year, spring football practices ended earlier than normal and the famous Navy cross country and track & field coach, Al Cantello, approached Phil about competing in the long jump for the varsity team. “Al knew I was a long jumper in high school, so he asked me to join the team,” explained Phil. “I was good enough to compete in the last few meets and earn a letter with the squad.”
Also during Phil’s youngster year, the first women entered the Naval Academy. He remembered how tough it was for them and admired their perseverance and resilience under the circumstances. “I saw how much resolve those women had at the time and I felt honored that my daughter was following in their footsteps,” explained Phil. “May is standing on the shoulders of an incredible group of women.”
This past spring, May was commissioned as a Marine Corps officer and is preparing for TBS later this summer. Just like running a marathon or walking onto the track team, it’s another challenge she is ready to take head on. “Above all, my service assignment came down to my interactions with the Marines on the Yard,” explained May. “It was a showcase of great leadership. I really saw myself aligning with the values of the Marine Corps.”
Phil was in denial at first, since he saw his daughter becoming a pilot and following in his footsteps. But eventually he came around. “She has to take her own path,” remarked Phil. “Some of the most impressive people I have ever met are Marines. I know she is going to make her own mark in the community.”
Both May and Phil McConkey pushed through adversity and made the most of their situations. Knowing how Phil’s story turned out, we are excited to see what comes next for May.
