Irvington Hoops Coach Maher Named to State Hall of Fame

When Gina Maher is formally inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame in March, she will accept the honor on behalf of the hundreds of female athletes she has coached at Irvington High School over the last 36 years.

“It’s really not about me. It’s about the kids I coach. It’s really their honor,” Maher said. “I’ve been really lucky.”

Irvington High School Principal Scott Mosenthal, who joined Athletic Director Artie McCormack in nominating Maher for the prestigious recognition, said Maher has been the cornerstone of women’s athletics at Irvington, having also coached tennis for 28 years and girls track for 23 years.

“She is the dean of Westchester girls’ basketball coaches, and one of the most respected coaches in the area,” Mosenthal said.

Maher became the Irvington girls basketball coach a few years after graduating from Marymount College, where she played forward on the basketball squad.

“I’ve been involved in basketball my whole life,” she said.

A mother of two grown boys and a computer aide at Irvington High School and Middle School, Maher is one of only five coaches in the section to win 400 games. That success was one reason the gym at the high school was named in her honor last spring.

With so many victories under her belt, Maher hesitated for a moment when asked about her most memorable win. Not surprisingly, it wasn’t a victory that sewed up a state or league championship.

Instead, Maher talked about a game in 2003 when Irvington faced Briarcliff, the first game she coached after her husband, Neil, who was a big supporter and served as scorekeeper, died. The Bulldogs were trailing by 14 points with three minutes to go but rallied to win.

“It was unbelievable,” she said. “I know they did it for him.”

Maher said she stresses teamwork and discipline and doesn’t lose sight of the makeup of the team.

“I also like to have some fun because they are kids,” she said. “Before they’re athletes, they’re people.”

Following a successful season a year ago, Maher is “very optimistic” about the team’s chances this season.

“It’s a very talented team. They’re very cohesive and determined,” she said.

As far as her future on the sidelines, Maher is content “as long as I’m effective and having fun.”