Phase 1 of Main Gym Renovation Is Underway
We’re excited to share that Phase 1 of the gym floor renovation at Marist High School is officially underway!
Originally installed in 1963, the gym floor has served generations of athletes, students, and fans. While we’ve made repairs over the years, experts recommended a full replacement, and we listened! This transformative project will not only modernize a vital part of our campus but also honor two Marist legends: Dan Garvey and Coach Gene Nolan.
When completed, the new floor will serve as a lasting tribute to their leadership, mentorship, and impact on the Marist community.
We’re incredibly grateful to the donors who helped launch this effort and there’s still time to be part of it.
Whether you’re an alum who ran drills on that very floor, a parent cheering from the stands, or someone who believes in the power of faith-based education and athletics, we invite you to make a gift and help complete this important chapter in Marist history.
Gym Floor Project Honors Coach Dan Garvey
This winter, a very generous donor (who requested anonymity) stepped forward with an exciting challenge related to funding this project.
This past September, we mourned the loss of one of the great Marist legends: Coach Dan Garvey. All of us who are alumni fondly remember the goodness of Dan Garvey and will be forever grateful for his years of service to Marist. Dan Garvey, along with the gym floor, came to Marist in the 1960s. Besides being one of the first lay employees, Dan was the first men’s basketball coach in the history of Marist and spent most of his 35-year career on that original floor.
Our generous donor has chosen to honor Coach Garvey by having his name enshrined on the new surface once it is installed.
A Lasting Legacy for Coach Gene Nolan
Another tribute goes to Gene Nolan, a 1992 graduate and Marist’s all-time winningest basketball coach.
Gene’s impact on the Marist community is immeasurable. As a student, he rewrote much of the basketball record book while excelling academically as a National Honor Society member and Faculty Award recipient. After a record-breaking career at Washington University in St. Louis, he returned to Marist to teach and coach.
During Marist’s transition to coeducation in the early 2000s, Gene became a key figure in shaping the school’s new direction, working closely with the admissions office and mentoring students on and off the court. As head coach for 18 years, he built a Tradition of Excellence—leading the RedHawks to ten 20-win seasons and six regional championships. His leadership fostered a culture of honor, respect, and integrity that continues to resonate throughout the Marist community and the wider Chicagoland area.
Be Part of the Transformation
We invite you to join us in honoring these Marist legends and ensuring our student-athletes have a championship-caliber facility. Every contribution brings us closer to the unveiling of a new space that will inspire generations to come.
Make your gift today and be part of Marist history:
