Campus News
Savio Welcomes Superbowl Champion as Football Coach
St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School Hires Super Bowl Champion
as Head Football Coach
Austin, Texas – The administration of St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School is pleased to announce that Malcom D’ Shawn Brown, a retired Superbowl-winning National Football League (NFL) Defensive Tackle who played football for the University of Texas, has been hired as the new football coach for the school beginning with the 2024-25 academic year.
Brown, a Texas native who attended Brenham High School as a three-sport athlete, played defensive tackle for the University of Texas (UT) (2012-2014) before being drafted as the 32nd overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft for the New England Patriots (2015-2018). On February 5, 2017, Brown was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LI. The Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime. He went on to play for the New Orleans Saints (2019-2020) and finished his professional football career with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021.
St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School Principal Mr. Evan Psencik eagerly welcomes Coach Brown to the Savio family.
“What impressed me the most during the interview process was getting to know Malcom as a dedicated family man and a person of deep faith, who is committed to supporting and helping our student-athletes be successful on and off the field,” said Mr. Psencik. “We believe that Coach Brown will be the perfect leader, mentor, and role model for our student-athletes and will help our school community build a football program that will sustain success for many years to come.”
Coach Brown is looking forward to returning to the Lone Star State.
“To have an opportunity to come home to Texas, and to coach the sport I have dedicated my life to, is truly a gift and an honor,” said Brown. “I am looking forward to mentoring our young athletes through sports and faith, as well as offering them the same opportunities afforded me as a young man growing up in Texas, which led to my success.”
Coach Brown will be part of a multi-sport program offered at St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School.
“As we move into Division 1 (6A) football next year, we will encounter a new set of challenges,” said Savio Athletic Director Louise Swain. “I am eager to work with Coach Brown to continue to develop faith-filled athletes who are capable of rising to the challenge under his tremendous leadership.”
The student body was made aware of the announcement of Coach Brown’s hiring at a recent assembly. Coach Brown will be available for a press conference with our media partners at 11 a.m., on Friday, March 8, in the Student Success Center (Library). The media should arrive at the front door of the school by 10:30 a.m., to be checked into the office before heading to the library for the press conference.
St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School is a co-educational college preparatory school founded by the Diocese of Austin to prepare young men and women to become faith-filled, visionary, and inspirational leaders in service to the Church and the world.
Savio Merit Scholars Recognized
Last week the Diocese of Austin Catholic School community joined together at the annual St. Thomas Aquinas Mass to recognize 58 middle school students for their leadership and service to the community, as well as 29 high school students who received National Merit recognition. Congratulations to our St. Dominic Savio students who earned this honor!
Two Robotics Teams go to State!
TWO SAVIO ROBOTICS TEAMS GOING TO STATE!
Congratulations to Iron Eagles 6272 Prime! They were a member of the winning alliance at the Area Championship. They also placed 3rd place - Design Award.
Congratulations to Iron Eagles 3708 Optimus. They ranked 3rd in their division. Way to go Iron Eagles!
Please congratulate these hard-working team members.
Prime: Matthew Burkhart, Grace Parker, Sihan Lin, Chris Agostinelli, Chris Abadie, and Cosimo Di Santis.
Optimus: Jackson Petersen, Varun Rajagopal, Thomas Kloke, Wit Hatton, Levi Bendele, and Jude Landon.
The FTC State Championship will be held March 22nd and 23rd in Belton.
Latin Students Earn Success at Competiton
Nine Latin students competed in the Austin Area Convention Latin Competition on Saturday!! Everyone did an amazing job, earning Savio Fourth Place in our division!
Individual contest achievements were: Holly Smith ('27): 2nd Place Vocabulary, Lauren Mackowski ('25): 2nd Place Latin Derivatives, Lucia Fulwiler ('26): 3rd Place Greek Derivatives, Bailey Belomestnov ('25): 3rd Place Reading Comprehension Poetry!
Pictured Above: Left to Right: Jacob Gaines (25), Bailey Belomestnov (25), Lane Fulwiler - Latin Club PR/Historian (24), Lauren Mackowski - Latin Club President (25), Lucia Fulwiler - Latin Club Vice President (26), Lilian Herchek (26), Caroline Golab (26), Isabella Boltan (26)
Mardi Gras Parade Big Hit!
The second annual St. Dominic Savio Mardi Gras Parade was a huge success with each House creating movie-themed floats. The students paraded through Holy Family Catholic School during their lunch time, so it was extra special to see their smiling faces! Great job students!
Mardi Gras Team Kicks off Parade!
The all-school Mardi Gras parade begins at 11:30 a.m., with our MC's from left to right: Mary Beth Cunningham, Principal Evan Psencik, Roxana Neal, and President Tim Cullen.
Savio Swim Team Moves on to State!
St. Dominic Savio Swim Team will be competing at State on February 13. The students celebrated the team at the state send-off on Monday, February 12, and two seniors were recognized for their years of commitment to the sport.
Mrs. Heyl TCCB Teacher of the Year!
High School Teacher of the Year
Alanna Heyl has been teaching theology at St. Dominic Savio in north Austin for 12 years and has served as chair of the Theology department for 11 years. She currently teaches Theology IV and the upper-level course, Christian Outreach, a seminar on Catholic social teaching.
Mrs. Heyl is involved in many extracurricular programs and activities, including serving as the program coordinator of the Senior Servant Leader Project, planning the senior retreat, and helping her Christian Outreach students organize Imago Christi Day, a school-wide annual day of service during Catholic Schools Week. She is also the faculty advisor for the Catholic Relief Services Club, trains students to serve as liturgical ministers at school Masses, and has accompanied students to World Youth Day, FOCUS SEEK conferences, and on numerous mission trips.
Under her guidance and mentorship, campus ministry and other school programs are student-led, providing opportunities for them to identify their unique talents and gifts and exploring how they can use these gifts to serve others. Patrick Goertz, Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction, says of Mrs. Heyl, “She works to help students see the presence of God in their everyday lives and that they have been given the grace to live out their unique vocation and calling from God.”
Mrs. Heyl grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended St. Jude the Apostle School. When she was 12, her family moved to Texas. She earned her bachelor’s degree in theology at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas and a master’s in theology at the University of Dallas.
Mrs. Heyl has been married for 18 years and has four children who all attend Holy Family Catholic School in Austin. The Heyls are parishioners of St. Louis King of France Catholic Church.