A Dv anc em en t N e w s
Thanks to Generous Donors, NWC to Dedicate New Mirabello Basketball Court Turning 50 is a big deal, no matter how you slice it. For Northwest Catholic, this milestone has provided an excellent reason to reflect upon and celebrate the accomplishments of the past, take stock of the present, and plan strategically for the future. Those future plans include several 50th Anniversary building projects that are designed to renovate and improve key areas of the school campus (see p. 25). They are outlined in a descriptive brochure available from Director of Advancement Patricia Walsh and on the NWC web site (www.northwestcatholic.org/50thprojects). Solicitations for these projects began in January 2010, and the response was excellent. With sufficient contributions in hand, construction on two of the projects -the renovation of the Johnson Gym (including new and more accessible bleachers, painting, and replacement of the 50-year-old floor) and the refurbishment of 17 classrooms (including asbestos abatement and installation of SMART Board technology) -- was scheduled to begin as soon as school ended in June 2011. Upon completion, the new gym floor will be renamed and dedicated as the John Mirabello Basketball Court, in honor of NWC’s longtime Boys’ Basketball Head Coach.
After the Johnson Gym renovations were under way, Principal/Chief Administrator Margaret Williamson presented Coach Mirabello with a piece of “his” courtside bench, inscribed with his signature slogan: MTXE, which stands for Mental Toughness, Extra Effort.
“Coach Mirabello was chosen for this honor because of his extraordinary record and reputation as an outstanding boys’ basketball coach and well-respected NWC teacher for the past 24 years,” said Mrs. Walsh. His record includes four State Championships, 12 regular season Conference Championships, and 14 Tournament Championships. He has a 75% win record (441-148), and he received the Jim Calhoun Award from the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. “He’s a wonderful, faith-filled role model for all of our students -- athletes or not,” continued Mrs. Walsh. “He truly lives out the mission of our school, and demonstrates by example what he hopes the students will grow up to be.” It is not too late to contribute to the John Mirabello Basketball Court Campaign or any of the 50th Anniversary projects, either on-line through NWC’s secure web site (www.northwestcatholic.org/giveonline), or via check made out to NWC. Students commemorated Coach Mirabello’s 400th win, Checks may be sent to Patricia Walsh at NWC, 29 Wampanoag Drive, West on January 2, 2010, by decorating the walls of the Johnson Gym with multiple copies of his face. Hartford, CT 06117. Questions? Contact Mrs. Walsh at pwalsh@nwcath.org.
Double Your Gift to the NWC Fund – Without Spending an Extra Dime! How? Through a Matching Gifts Program that your employer may offer -- in many cases, a company gives the same amount you do, only you get the credit! If you make your gift on-line at www. northwestcatholic.org/giveonline, simply check “yes” on the Matching Gifts question and indicate your employer’s name.
Then contact the human resources or benefits administration departments at your company for more information and the necessary forms. NWC Advancement Assistant Debra Lebel (dlebel@nwcath.org, or 860-236-4221, x139) is always happy to assist with any questions, as well.
T H E M AG A Z I N E O F N O R T H W E S T C AT H O L I C
SPRING/SUMMER 2011
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