Students and staff at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, 3737 W. 99th St., were among the millions around the country who celebrated the gold medal win of the U.S. women’s hockey team on Feb. 19 against Canada in the Milan Cortina Olympics.
But unlike most, they had a personal connection to one player — 2020 alumna Abbey Murphy. Murphy also won an Olympic silver medal with the U.S. women’s team in the 2022 games.
Mother McAuley inducted her into its Hall of Honor last fall.
Students and staff watched the game on a large screen in the student lounge during free periods. Many of them sported blue jerseys or sweatshirts with Murphy’s name on the back.
Laurie Jakubczak was Mother McAuley’s athletic director when Murphy attended the school. She was not surprised to see Murphy on the world’s stage as an Olympic athlete.
Murphy played lacrosse during her first two years at Mother McAuley before dedicating herself fulltime to ice hockey, the teacher said.
“She was outstanding. She played with the same tenacity that she does on the ice,” Jakubczak said. “It’s just amazing to have a McAuley Mighty Mac on the ice.”
McAuley students can look up to Murphy as someone who followed her dreams, Jakubczak said.
“Look where she got to,” she said. “She’s playing on the Olympic team for the second time.”
Many McAuley students also attended Murphy’s elementary school, Most Holy Redeemer in Evergreen Park.
Freshman Cate Schreiber plays hockey for the St. Jude Knights, the team Murphy played for growing up. Schreiber has met the Olympian when she visited Most Holy Redeemer or attended her hockey camps.
“She’s great,” Schreiber. “It’s really cool to see her at the Olympics. That’s what everyone works for.”
Senior Mary Chesley plays hockey for the Windy City Storm and has also met Murphy at tournaments.
She said watching Murphy makes playing in the Olympics “seem like it’s more achievable.”
Sophomore Avery Earner said Murphy’s Olympic journey is inspirational.
“It’s cool to see a local kid from the neighborhood go and do big things like this,” Earner said. “She’s honestly, like, very inspiring. I would not even think someone from around here would be able to make it and here she is.”
Brooke Heilmann’s sister graduated with Murphy from Mother McAuley.
“It’s so cool to see her as a senior and talking about how she was so good at hockey to now seeing where she is and seeing everyone wear hoodies with her last name on it,” the freshman said.
School let out before the game was over, so several staff joined members of Murphy’s family, friends and neighbors to watch the end of the game and celebrate the win at Barraco’s Pizza in Evergreen Park.