Port Washington Resident Named Athletics Director Of Sacred Heart Academy

A Port Washington resident has been name the athletics director of Sacred Heart Academy, which is located in Hempstead.

Morgan Molinari O’Connor, who grew up in Manhasset, replaced Mr. Michael Goetz who has retired from the position after 17 years. O’Connor started her position on July 1.

“Mrs. O’Connor’s accomplished record in athletics and her proven success at Sacred Heart Academy make her the perfect choice to continue the tradition of excellence for which SHA athletics is known,” Kristin Lynch Graham, President of Sacred Heart Academy, said in a press release. “We are thrilled that she has accepted this expanded role and trust that the passion she has for coaching and mentoring and for her alma mater will be felt by all of our students.”

Before being named athletics director, O’Connor served as the assistant athletic director and athletic advisor. As assistant athletic director, she managed Sacred Heart’s relationship with Under Armour and its affiliation with Professional Athletic Training Services. and has been the varsity lacrosse coach since 2009 and will retain her coaching responsibilities for the 2017-18 year.

“I am grateful to the administration and the Sisters of St. Joseph for this incredible opportunity and am honored to be able to work with such wonderful co-workers, coaches and student-athletes at Sacred Heart Academy,” O’Connor said. “I hope to use my experiences as Assistant Athletic Director, coach, teacher and advisor to help further the progress of our student-athletes and our Athletics Department.”

Under O’Connor’s coaching, lacrosse players have gone on to play for NCAA Division I, II and III programs, as well as club teams at universities across the country. She has coached 32 US Lacrosse Academic All-Americans, eight US Lacrosse All-Americans and seven Newsday All-Long Island players at Sacred Heart. She was the NSCHSAA Girls Lacrosse Coach of the Year in both 2016 and 2017.

O'Connor was a three-sport athlete (swimming, basketball and lacrosse) at Sacred Heart Academy. Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame, where she played lacrosse, and a Master of Science degree in Secondary Education from Molloy College.

Image via Sacred Heart Academy