by Frank Vespe

Mike Gathagan, the Vice President for Communications at the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC), will resign his post effective February 2.  He will take a position with the Maryland Catholic Conference.

Gathagan has served as the MJC’s communications chief for more than 14 years.  In this position, he has been the tracks’ primary liaison with members of the media and is perhaps best known to the public for his appearances on HRTV.

Gathagan is especially well regarded in industry circles for carrying out the Herculean task of credentialing and managing the media horde that descends on Pimlico during Preakness week.  “It has been my pleasure to have a small role in one of the world’s best sporting events, the Preakness Stakes,” he said in a statement.

His replacement has not yet been chosen.