A Nun, A Coach, and the Power of Prayer in Sports

Sister Marguerite O’Beirne, eighty years old and far from a sports expert, has become the unofficial guardian of Neumann University athletes’ academic futures. Though she can’t name a basketball rebound or explain a baseball play, she shows up at every home game in her red blazer and rosary, ready to lift a team’s spirit with a prayer or a gentle nod. Her role began in 2022 when she shifted focus entirely to student‑athletes, helping them bump their GPAs above the 2. 0 threshold required for eligibility. She sets a higher bar, often aiming for a 3. 0 or better. When senior forward Donte Dupriest first met her in 2025, his average jumped from a shaky start to a solid 3. 30 thanks to her rigorous study plan and constant encouragement. Dupriest, who had left college for family hardships, credits the nun’s belief in him as a catalyst for his academic turnaround.

Sister Marguerite’s support extends beyond grades. She attends games, offering a presence that reassures players and reminds them of community. After Neumann’s basketball team clinched its first conference title in five years, she waited for the returning players on a cold February bus stop, cheering them on with an infectious enthusiasm. Her involvement also includes personal mentorship: she once taught a 6‑foot‑7 forward, Jalen Vaughns, to complete assignments even when he was ill, and she helped a sophomore lacrosse player, Sarah Kiraly, recover from academic ineligibility. Her background as a teacher and school administrator in Pennsylvania shaped her belief that showing up—literally at sporting events—can deepen student relationships. She grew up in rural Ireland, where she first felt drawn to the Franciscan order, and now brings a blend of Irish charm, spirited encouragement, and steadfast discipline to the campus. Students praise her for being “the best hugger” and a steadfast cheerleader who never lets them falter. Even as Neumann’s athletic department created a bobblehead of her to raise funds, she remains modest, accepting only if it benefits the athletes. She continues to attend games in all weather, promising not to keep score but to stay present and supportive.

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