Cathy Rush

 In the early 1970's, Cathy Rush had big dreams for a team from a tiny school in Pennsylvania. As head coach of Immaculata College in the 1970's, this Member of the Basketball Hall of Fame led her "Mighty Macs" to five national championship games, winning three consecutive national titles... an accomplishment still unsurpassed by any collegiate women's basketball coach! While stressing fundamentals and using game tactics labeled "way ahead of her time," Cathy compiled a record of 149-15, a winning-percentage of 91%! As a result, Cathy and the "Mighty Macs" from Immaculata College took the country by storm playing in the first nationally televised game and playing in front of over 12,000 fans at Madison Square Garden!

Cathy Rush established herself as a leader in women's sports while coaching basketball at Immaculata College in Pennsylvania (under 500 Students). Under her guidance, Immaculata College won three consecutive National AIAW Championships (1972, 1973 & 1974), five Eastern AIAW Championships, and two National AIAW Championship Runner-Ups. All of this in only six years as coach!  

Cathy Rush and her “Future Stars” Dream         

Cathy Rush also had big dreams for young girls who wanted to compete in the sport of basketball. Using her advanced coaching style, Future Stars was created to provide opportunities for girls to develop their skills and be exposed to college scholarships. Entering its 37th year, over 100,000 campers have taken advantage of the Future Stars experience, and the tradition continues to grow. The success and longevity of the Future Stars program relies on a winning combination of individual instruction and team challenges held in a positive learning environment. 

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Cathy Rush and our  daughter Alexis  (2007 Future Stars Camp)

And now there’s going to be a Movie… 

As my wife and I were watching the awards ceremony at the end of a “Future Stars” camp (our daughter attended two of her camps this summer) we heard Cathy Rush mention that a movie had been made about her coaching days at Immaculata.  So we did a little research, and found out some very interesting information about the movie (it’s going to be a good one).  The movie “Our Lady of Victory” will star Carla Gugino as Cathy Rush, along with Co-Stars David Boreanaz and Ellen Burstyn (as the mother superior).  So far the movie is said to be a cross between “Hoosiers” and “Sister Act” – from what I've read, they are still working on a release date - we'll keep you posted. Read more below…   

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Carla Gugino -Stars in "Our Lady of Victory"

Presently, Cathy Rush is actively involved in the following:  

* Future Stars Camps - Cathy is president of Future Stars. For over 25 years, Future Stars has been conducting basketball, field hockey, soccer, all sport, and sports and arts camps for girls and boys.  

* Future Stars All Star Camps - started by Cathy to enable hundreds of girls to be exposed to college coaches and help girls receive the scholarship opportunities they deserve.  

* Color Commentating - Cathy has been the color commentator for all of the major networks, including NBC, CBS, CBN, ESPN, PRISM and the Sport Channel.  

* Cathy is a local spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society.    

Other Cathy Rush Achievements: 

* Coached and directed the 1975 U.S. Women's basketball team at the Pan American games, leading the team to a gold medal finish.  

* One of the few woman inducted into the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame.  

* One of only six "outsiders" inducted into the prestigious Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame. Having neither played nor coached at a member institution, Cathy was recognized by the Big 5 for her contributions and continuous dedication to the game of women's basketball.  

* Member of the U.S. Olympic Committee of Women's basketball.  

* Written up in Newsweek as the "Al Maguire of Women's Basketball".  

* Received Special Achievement Awards from both the New Jersey and Philadelphia Sports Writers' Association.  

* Recipient of Special Achievement Award from the Delaware County Athletics Hall of Fame.

* Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee, April 2008.

"Courtesy of Future Stars Basketball Camps"