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Cathy Neary McGuirk

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​A 1963 graduate  of Central Catholic  High  School in Norwalk, Cathy Neary received the Best Athlete award her senior year-and not surprisingly. In addition to playing basketball, tennis, and softball (softball manager for a year), she played four years of field hockey and as a goalie was undefeated and unscored upon. While at Southern Connecticut State University (B.S. in 1967), Cathy did her student teaching at Branford High School under the legendary Virginia Moessmang (Branford's Education Hall of Fame Class of 2000). At the time Cathy little suspected that ten years later she would follow her and become only the second field hockey coach in Branford. And twenty seven years later, she's still at it.

After earning a master's degree in elementary education (also from Southern Connecticut), Cathy taught physical education at Roxbury Elementary School in Stamford for three years  and at East  Haven Middle School for one year. She and husband John McGuirk, who coaches softball in North Branford, moved to Branford in 1972; and Cathy began teaching physical education at Branford Intermediate School in 1976.

However, her involvement with the students there goes beyond physical education classes. She has co-directed the intramural program, was a member of the professional development committee, served on the faculty council for the Junior National Honor Society, and was very involved in the Teachers as Friends program. She was also involved with Project Adventure and was pleased when Belinha DeAbreu asked her to become active in the very successful "Girls Night Out" for eighth graders. She very much enjoys being involved with all ages of students and finds them energizing.

Cathy decided to become a teacher because of the influence of her high school physical education teacher, Loretta Pizzella, and because she wa9 able to combine her love of both sports and children by teaching physical education. She believes that every child has "something special," and some really have the opportunity to show that in physical education. She reflects, "Teaching was always my first love, and coaching has been a great addition. It's like the icing on the cake."

When the field hockey coaching position at Branford High School became available, at first Cathy was reluctant to apply for it. However, husband John prevailed upon her, "You love field hockey, and you'd be great." How right he was! In the past twenty-seven  years under her leadership,  BHS has a record  of  354 wins,  79 losses, and  53 ties-in  addition  to eight  state championships.  Numerous  BHS graduates  who  have  played under  her  have  continued  to  participate  in  the  sport  in college.  Among  Cathy's many  honors  are National  Coach of  the  Year  (1994), Branford  Sports Hall  of  Fame  (1994), Southern  Connecticut State  University  Alumni  Association  Sports  Hall  of  Fame  (1995), and  Connecticut  High  School Coaches Association  Hall of  Fame (1999). She is also an active member (for more than twenty-five years) of Delta Kappa Gamma, the women's teacher society, and various professional organizations. One of the aspects of her dual roles of teacher and coach that Cathy finds especially rewarding is watching the girls' development over the span of years. She enjoys having had a student in grades 5- 8, next having her play on the field hockey team for four years-and then having her become a friend as an adult. And some have returned to become teaching colleagues in Branford.

Cathy McGuirk's obvious love of her students and dedication to them is reciprocated. While always striving to bring out the best in her students and her players, she accepts them for who they are, not as athletes. Her efforts, when a student or player is struggling and feels she can't do anything right, is to show her-and convince her-that she can. Clearly she has been a resounding success.

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