The 2020 GHS Field Hockey Cohort Challenge

The Guilford High School field hockey team knows what it takes to be successful. As competitors, they understand that hard work, determination and dedication are what’s necessary to compete. The administration, trainers, coaches, athletes, spectators, family and their communities all play important roles in achieving success. Above all, they respect their opponents both on and off of the field.

Branford High School field hockey has been a strong Guilford competitor over the years. They raised the level of competition which, in turn, encouraged the Guilford field hockey team to raise their level of play.

Branford Coach Cathy McGuirk retired in January 2018 after a 41-season career. Cathy earned 558 victories and 10 state championships. She completed her career as Branford’s head coach with an extraordinary record of 558-129-66-12. She achieved the most victories for any coach in the history of Connecticut high school field hockey.

After learning of Cathy McGuirk’s ALS diagnosis, the GHS field hockey team immediately began meeting (virtually) to discuss ways to show their support and encouragement.

The GHS field hockey team organized the 2020 GHS Field Hockey Cohort Challenge. The 5K took place on Saturday, September 12 and was open only to the field hockey team’s players and coaches. They adhered to the CIAC and Connecticut Department of Health’s guidelines and ran in cohorts 0f less than 10 players. It began with staggered starts and finishes at three designated locations around the town of Guilford. Each player donated $15 to enter and proceeds went to the ALS Association Connecticut Chapter (www.alsact.org) to honor Cathy McGuirk.

Cathy's accomplishments are impressive. She was the Connecticut Field Hockey Association Coach of the Year four times and the 2016 SCC Coach of the Year. She’s a member of the Connecticut Field Hockey Hall of Fame, the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Branford Education Hall of Fame, the Branford Sports Hall of Fame, the Southern Connecticut State University Hall of Fame, and the New Agenda Sports Hall of Fame, and the National Field Hockey Coach of the Year in 1994.

Cathy is warm, funny, fiercely competitive and is loved and admired by Branford’s players and their families. “Cathy is a coach we all aspire to be, respected by her peers, loved by her team, and successful on and off the field. We are proud to show our support for Cathy, her husband John and their family,” said Guilford Coach Kitty Palmer. If you would like to donate, please Venmo Cheryl, the Guilford Stick Club Treasurer @Cheryl-Petonito (put "Cathy McGuirk" in the notes field).