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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

MCC Basketball Court Named After George Monagan


Monroe Community College honored one of its founding faculty members, dedicating the college’s basketball court in memory of George C. Monagan Jr. in a ceremony Saturday afternoon.

The ceremony was part of MCC’s Homecoming and Alumni Weekend and honored the man who started the school’s prestigious athletic program.

“George Monagan was one of the great men of MCC and the community,” said MCC President R. Thomas Flynn. “He was absolutely one of the best administrators I ever worked with. He left us unexpectedly last year, and his presence on our campus is sorely missed.”

One of MCC’s original 39 faculty members, Monagan served the college community for 26 years before his retirement in 1988.  He established the college’s Physical Education and Athletic programs and was the first athletic director. He also launched and coordinated MCC’s associate degree program in recreation leadership and was one of the nation’s most knowledgeable experts in the field of recreational education.

“George had a vision that saw beyond the teaching of practical skills and to the fulfillment of dreams,” said current Director of Athletics Murph Shapiro. “He was the heart and conscience of MCC.”

“George Monagan served as a consummate role model for faculty, staff, and students,” added Dr. Susan Salvador, vice president of student services.  “He came to MCC prepared to lead.”

More than 120 family members, friends, colleagues, and current and former athletes attended the ceremony in the MCC gymnasium.  Monagan’s granddaughters helped unveil the new painting on the court: a basketball with “Monagan Court” inscribed over it.

A memorial garden was also dedicated in Monagan’s memory outside the gymnasium.

“George was a quiet and gracious man,” Shapiro said. “He would never let us be second best. He insisted we be generous in victory and that there were always lessons to be learned in defeat. He had a gift for making the best decision.”

Tom Garigen
Athletics
10/11/2006