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McHugh Initative

Just like Maria Lutz McHugh ’46, Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School is committed to strengthening its Athletic Program to encourage greater student participation, to attract and retain top student athletes, and to enhance our students’ ability to learn, compete and achieve great things in life.  

About Maria

A proud graduate of the Class of 1946, Maria promoted women and sports at Gwynedd for more than three decades. She taught health and physical education; coached basketball, field hockey and tennis; and provided visionary leadership as the Academy’s first athletic director. She established many sports programs at GMA, including cross country, gymnastics, lacrosse, swimming, track and field, and volleyball. She also entered Gwynedd into the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to bring recognition to the School and its many student athletes as the winners of district and state titles. Maria passed away in 2017 at the age of 88. Today, we honor her legacy by elevating GMA’s Athletic Program for current and future students.

Did You Know?

  • 13 team sports are offered today at GMA: basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, indoor track, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. 
  • 65 percent of the student body plays on one or more GMA sports team.
  • Gwynedd invests $363,000 annually in coaches, trainers, equipment, referees, and transportation for its 13 teams. 
  • 15% - 17% of each GMA graduating class plays D1, D2 and D3 sports at colleges and universities across the nation.

 

“Girls who participate on a sports team are more likely to have learned healthy ways to handle stressful situations, have more effective and supportive friendships with other girls, and have increased career and leadership aspirations.” 

Dr. Lisa Hinkelman, GIRLS & SPORTS: A GIRLS' INDEX™ IMPACT REPORT (2018)

Join the Team: Support the Initiative 

Your gift or pledge in support of this impactful $200,000 campaign will help GMA to upgrade and maintain athletic facilities and equipment, retain and hire the best coaches, and support operating budgets for the School’s 13 sports teams. Your support also will ensure the naming of GMA’s existing gymnasium and an award for outstanding commitment to Gwynedd Athletics in Maria’s honor. All donors will be recognized on a plaque at GMA.  Learn more by calling 215-646-8815, ext. 326 or give online today.

Recognition Levels

State Champion $25,000 or more
District Champion $10,000 - $24,999
League Champion $5,000 - $9,999
Varsity Team $1,000 - $4,999
JV Team $999 and less

 

Co-Chairs & Committee Members

Marita Sommar Osborne '66, Co-Chair
Michele Corkery Hanes '72, Co-Chair
Colleen Belz Frascatore '89
Patricia Gates Gardner '80
Sister Rosemary Herron, RSM
Patricia McDonald Kearns '54
Denise Corkery Marbach '72