Chrissie Doogan: The New Head Coach of Cardinal O'Hara's Girls Basketball

People in Places - by Craig Whitney

Photos by Michele Moran Photography

Chrissie Doogan being named Girls Basketball Head Coach is the most recent step in a long journey with basketball and with Cardinal O’Hara High School. She spent many years as a player and then as an Assistant. This next step is an honor for her and for the school.

Chrissie Doogan, Head Coach of Girls Basketball at Cardinal O'Hara High School

Photo by Michele Moran Photography

Chrissie played basketball for Cardinal O’Hara, first becoming a part of the varsity team as a freshman.

“I would see the older players at O’Hara getting college scholarships, the same people I was playing evenly with as a freshman,” Chrissie explained. “I remember seeing them get scholarships and thinking ‘I can see myself doing that.’”

Chrissie would go on to lead the team to three Catholic League championships as a player. She was named All-Delco and All- Catholic player, and was named Catholic League MVP for two consecutive years. Her 1,446 points is the second-highest total in the history of the girls basketball team at O’Hara.

Chrissie was awarded a basketball scholarship to La Salle, where she achieved very similar success. She had over 1,800 points and over 900 rebounds. After graduating, she was recognized in the La Salle Hall of Athletes. She went on to coach La Salle for over 10 years, and then at Cornell University for 2 years. She stepped away when she started having children and wanted to stay home with them.

Chrissie now has four children, the oldest of which, Maggie, is currently playing on the Cardinal O’Hara team as a freshman. Chrissie is very excited to return to coaching, and to return not just for her old team but also as a coach to her own daughter. Her whole family comes to the games just like they did when she was a player. She spoke very proudly of her mother who never missed a game and her father who traveled with her to all of the away games and tournaments.

.As for the current team, Chrissie is very excited for their future. They are a very young team, with four freshmen and four sophomores. O’Hara won the past two championships so there are high expectations for this team. Chrissie is also looking ahead to future teams.

“My goal is to have these young players stick together, keep improving and hopefully have the same experience of playing at the Palestra for the championship.”

For 7th- and 8th-graders considering joining, Chrissie said she would love for them to see the value in this and get the chance to compete for a championship of their own and get a great education along the way.

Everyone at Marple Friends & Neighbors says...

Congratulations and Good Luck, Chrissie!"

Chrissie Doogan and the entire Marple community is thrilled that she is returning to coaching with the team that began her very decorated career.