Softball Coach Survives Scare, Records Milestone

-By Daniel P. Moynihan, Times Sports Editor

Mickey McGroarty thought he was in the midst of one of the finest weeks of his life. Instead, the Holy Family University softball coach endured what he called "the worst week" of his life.

With his softball team on the verge of giving McGroarty his 300th career win as a college coach, the Mayfair native started experiencing chest pains during Holy Family's doubleheader with Lock Haven on April 21. Less than 24 hours later, he was being prepped for open-heart surgery.

"The doctor told me that my heart and arteries were worth a million bucks. It's just that I had two (heart) valves that were worth ten cents apiece," McGroarty said with a chuckle.

Now he can laugh. McGroarty was discharged from Hahnemann University Hospital on Saturday as his Lady Tigers participated in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference tournament in Caldwell, N.J. As their coach recuperated at home, the Lady Tigers fell one victory shy of a bid in the NCAA Division II national tournament.

Holy Family lost to Caldwell for the second time in the double-elimination tournament on Sunday, falling 1-0 in 12 innings. The Lady Tigers dropped a 9-2 decision to Caldwell two days earlier.

McGroarty, who also coaches soccer at St. Hubert High School and gained his 300th soccer victory last fall, recorded his 300th softball win on April 22. As McGroarty braced for surgery, Holy Family knocked off Goldey Beacom in a twin bill to give its coach his milestone.

According to Jack McGroarty, who assists his father at Holy Family and St. Hubert, players were not informed of the severity of McGroarty's condition until just before game time.

"They went out and played two really good games," Jack McGroarty said of the team. "They already purchased cards in case he won those games."

Meanwhile, as McGroarty recovered from the four-hour surgical procedure, he couldn't help but think of his Holy Family players.

In fact, his thoughts were on softball even as he entered the operating room.

"He told me there was nothing I could do (at the hospital) and that I would be better off helping (assistant coach Neil Dossick) get the girls ready for the games," Jack McGroarty said. "He kept telling me, 'Make sure you and Neil get things done.' I was like, 'What are you doing, you're in the hospital.' But that's him."

The Lady Tigers also were thinking of their coach.

The team brought McGroarty's Holy Family hat to the conference tournament, placed it on a hanger, and faced it toward the playing field.

A day before they left for the tournament, a host of players visited McGroarty in his hospital room.

"That was really nice," he said. "I was on the phone with my sister in California and said, 'Oh my God, I have to call you back. My team is here.'"

Doctors told McGroarty that he must remain off his feet for at least a month. For a person who spends countless hours during the year on recruiting trips, the thought of not driving his car for a few weeks doesn't sit well with McGroarty.

"That's going to drive me nuts," he kidded.

Jack McGroarty said his father would have enjoyed the effort turned in by Holy Family during his absence.

During the three-day tournament, the Lady Tigers won the first two games by a 7-0 margin and held Goldey Beacom and Georgian Court scoreless through 17 innings.

Unfortunately, Holy Family dropped two of its last three games to eventual conference champion Caldwell, which hosted the tournament and entered the competition ranked 13th in the nation.

"We started the season 3-11 and finished with a 25-22 record," said Jack McGroarty. "They really picked up their play. It was a gutsy effort, and I think he would have been pleased with them this weekend."

Times sports editor Daniel P. Moynihan can be reached at 215-354-3035 or dmoynihan@phillynews.com