South Philly Review

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One usually associates saints with cleanliness, but dirt appealed to figures from Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., Nov. 1. With afternoon sunshine to accentuate their smiles, president John Murawski and nearly 100 alumni, colleagues and students celebrated the groundbreaking for the Saints Field House. The assembly bore opportune and geographic significance, as it occurred on All Saints’ Day and within the parking lot of St. John Neumann Place, 2600 Moore St., a senior living community the Archdiocese of Philadelphia opened four years after the 2004 merger of St. John Neumann and St. Maria Goretti high schools.

The unification made the structure especially necessary for the male athletes, as it reduced their resources. They retained the use of McNichol Athletic Field, which stretches from 25th to 26th streets along Mifflin to Moore streets, but Murawski, 1996 graduate, and others felt creating space would enhance preparation. The resident of the 100 block of McKean Street led a prayer service before discussing how the eventual 70-foot-by-40-foot composition will assist his youngsters.

“God approves of recreation for the relaxation of the mind and the exercise of the body to foster mental, physical and spiritual well-being,” the suited leader said.

Dubbing the playing surface the breeding ground of tens of thousands of student-athletes, including participants from elementary institutions’ Catholic Youth Organization programs, the former footballer lauded his administration’s commitment to the five-years-in-the-making project. A $250,000 Department of Community and Economic Development grant will cover costs for the enclosure and its amenities.

A blueprint situated in front of the podium detailed the setup. Booster club space, a coach’s office, a concession stand, a film room, 90 lockers, a storage area and a weight room will enable the brainchild to entice support, delight appetites, secure equipment and hone bodies and strategies. Murawski, whose athletic infatuation has born his Physical Health, Youth Sport, Education & Development nonprofit and has earned him the reward of heading the programs for 3- to 7-year-olds at the Edward O’Malley Athletic Association, 144 Moore St., praised the Archdiocese for backing his school’s ambition.

“We want to thank you for helping us to continue our mission to offer viable, unparalleled Catholic education,” he said to representatives from the Office of Catholic Education.

To place one or two students in any of the 17 diocesan high schools, a family must pay $5,160 in tuition. The field house’s planned April opening will not increase that steep figure for the East Passyunk Crossing institution, to Murawski’s and certainly parents’ delight.

Education expenses totalled much lower when Ed McBride received his schooling. A resident of 24th and Morris streets, he attended Southeast Catholic High School, formerly at Seventh and Christian streets, graduating in 1955 as a member of its final class. The remaining and subsequent learners traveled to 2600 Moore St. once the institution became Bishop Neumann High School. Upon its namesake’s ’78 canonization, it took on a third appellation, St. John Neumann High School. He shows devotion to his alma mater by serving as the vice president of its alumni organization, the Millay Club, and read from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

“Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize?” the Point Breeze dweller asked as he recounted St. Paul’s inquiry to the ancient Greeks. “Run so as to win.”

Principal Patricia Sticco followed the EOM president and offered a psalm through which she instructed the athletes to believe in the Lord’s enduring kindness. They surely hope it helps them on game days, as does Murawski.

“I remember the pride I had when coming out of the locker room,” he said to the baseball, footballs and girls’ soccer squads. “I hope this field house inspires you to become the athletes and the students that you know you can become.”

The aforementioned teams will be using the field house, as they compete on McNichol Athletic Field, named in honor of Dennis and Edward McNichol, ’38 and ’39 graduates of Southeast Catholic, whose McNichol Trucking Company donated the field space.

“Lord Jesus, you are the strength of the weak and the prize of the strong,” Murawski said, a massive dirt pile to his rear. The Saints will seek to bury their opponents once the field house provides improved means of perfecting schemes. At the groundbreaking, four flags represented the structure’s corners. Light breezes disturbed them briefly and once the banners are gone, the competitors will strive to make foes’ hopes fly away quickly.

“This is a great moment for us,” athletic director Pat DiPilla said of the dedication.

A resident of the 2900 block of South 18th Street, he held the same position for Neumann before the merger, a consequence of low enrollment at both schools. He coached and taught at Radnor’s Archbishop Carroll High School before signing on to advance the Saints’ heavenly hopes of securing championships.

“The field house will strengthen the Neumann-Goretti community and enrich the field,” he said.

Its occupants have established different track records. The football and soccer units hope to make noise in the Catholic League, while the diamond dwellers have been boisterous lately, taking this year’s league and PIAA District 12 Class AAA titles. Senior pitcher and outfielder Joey Gorman, a returning All-Catholic honoree, delivered the day’s prayer of blessing.