William Doherty

May 17 2023 12:26 PM

ON A POSTCARD-PERFECT MAY 10^TH MORNING, HOLY GHOST PREP CELEBRATED A LANDMARK DAY IN ITS 125-YEAR HISTORY WITH A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE DUAIME ATHLETIC COMPLEX (DAC).

On a postcard-perfect May 10^th morning, Holy Ghost Prep celebrated a landmark day in its 125-year history with a groundbreaking ceremony for the Duaime Athletic Complex (DAC).

The ceremony, which took place at the DAC’s future home, was a true community event attended by the entire student body, HGP faculty, staff and administrators, members of the Holt family, some local politicians, and members of the Holy Ghost Board of Trustees.

After a stirring rendition of the national anthem by HGP student Owen Smith and a beautiful invocation by Rev. Daniel Sormani, C.S.Sp., Matt Dwyer, Holy Ghost Prep’s executive director of development, officially welcomed the gathered guests to the groundbreaking ceremony.

Holy Ghost Prep president Gregory J. Geruson ’79 then spoke to the crowd.

“Today, we start a new chapter in the rich history of Holy Ghost Prep by breaking ground on what will be an incomparable athletic facility, The Duaime Athletic Complex,”: said Geruson. “Once completed, the Duaime Athletic Complex will allow our students to hone their unique athletic gifts in a collegiate-type facility and will also benefit the surrounding Bensalem community.”

Named for Rev. Jeffrey Duaime, C.S.Sp. ’76 (an HGP alum who was the school’s president for 11 years and served on HGP’s Board of Trustees), the $4-million dollar outdoor athletic complex will include a state-of-the-art, multi-sport turf field, a new running track, new and expanded seating, and lights to benefit the school’s soccer, lacrosse, track and field, cross-country, and ultimate frisbee programs. The Duaime Athletic Complex will open and be dedicated in the fall.

Thomas Holt, Jr. ’81 explained that the family’s naming gift for the Duaime Athletic Complex was simply a gesture to honor Duaime, a man who has meant so much to the Holt family, and to ensure that future HGP students continue to have access to state-of-the-art facilities.

“What sets Holy Ghost Prep apart is the teachers and staff here at the school. They care for each of our students, just like a family,” said Holt. “We are blessed to have Fr. Jeffrey Duaime as part of our immediate family, and think it is fitting that this complex be named after him. He is a humble man, who comes from humble beginnings. 

“This is going to be a great project.  The Holt family is excited to be a part of it and look forward to its completion—let’s get this done!”   

After Holt, Marty Connor ’82—the acting chair of Holy Ghost Prep’s Board of Trustees and the CFO of Toll Brothers, briefly took the stage and said: “This is truly a remarkable time at HGP, and I look forward to watching current and future Firebirds and community members utilize this spectacular facility in the decades to come.

“Thanks to all our donors, the state of Pennsylvania, our partners in the community and, of course, our administration here at HGP for turning this idea into a reality. I can't wait to see the finished complex.”

Following Connor’s remarks, groups of dignitaries were happy to don hard hats and ceremoniously turn over the dirt to celebrate the start of construction. In a few months, the group will reconvene at the same site when the new Duaime Athletic Center (DAC) opens for business.