Track & Field Alums Reunited Through Service
12/20/2023 1:20:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field, Features
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Learn. Grow. Lead. Lehigh student-athletes and alums alike have come to know those words very well, as they serve as part of the athletic department's mission statement. Even after a student-athlete's time at Lehigh comes to a close, those three words often still exemplify the values that they put forth on a day-to-day basis.
That statement couldn't be truer for Lehigh track and field alums Bridget O'Connell '95 and Steve Gourley '00. O'Connell is the superintendent of the Palisades School District while Gourley serves as the Director of Options for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Bucks County. Unbeknownst to one another at the time, both were named recipients of the Pinnacle Award from BBBS for their efforts in growing the program.
BBBS of Bucks County helps pair vulnerable youth with adult and student volunteers to enrich the lives of these children and help them achieve their full potential. The organization hosted 'The BIG Event Gala' on November 2 and honored several contributors with their Pinnacle Award at the event, including O'Connell and Gourley.
O'Connell and her team at the Palisades School District helped start a relationship with BBBS to implement a mentoring program pairing Palisades High School students with Durham Nockamixon Elementary School students. This partnership was established just prior to the pandemic, and the interaction between the two has been going strong ever since.
"As these relationships developed for our students - both Bigs and Littles - the benefits of the program became apparent - leadership, mentoring, accountability, responsibility, character building and a sense of belonging have been positive outcomes we are proud to recognize and foster," said O'Connell. "The work we have done to support this project from a management perspective has been far outweighed by the benefits we have seen our students enjoy."
When she and other Palisades administrators were honored in early November at the gala, O'Connell surely did not expect to see someone she knew also receive the same distinction, let alone a fellow Lehigh track & field alum.
"I was so delighted to see Steve at the gala event in early November," said O'Connell. "When we first saw each other, we didn't know that he too was receiving the Pinnacle Award, so I was thrilled to be there to recognize his commitment to students and community."
Gourley, who has been working for BBBS for 20 years, was also honored with the Pinnacle Award for his work with the Options Program, which provides professional mentoring and other valuable services to Bucks County youth supported by local juvenile justice or child welfare agencies.
"It was great reconnecting with Bridget and I was happy she and the team at Palisades were recognized for supporting and expanding school-based mentoring in their district," said Gourley. "From my time at Lehigh, I knew Bridget would be a fantastic leader and have a successful career helping others."
Both O'Connell and Gourley were four-year members of the track & field program at Lehigh while Gourley also ran cross country. O'Connell also served as an assistant coach with her alma mater for two years after graduation. Both alums give credit to their time as runners for instilling values that they have both used in their professional careers.
"This award would not have been possible without a team of district and community members coming together around the common goal of supporting our students to be the best that they can be as learners and leaders," said O'Connell. "As a student-athlete at Lehigh, I too felt supported by my coaches, teammates, and trainers to be the best I could be as a student and leader. I'm so grateful for my experience at Lehigh."
"My time running for Lehigh cross country and track and field instilled in me a strong work ethic, an ability to persevere through challenges, and the skills to be a good teammate," said Gourley. "Lehigh's athletic programs helped hone my time management and organization skills. Both have been extremely helpful in my career. I'm also very grateful for the friendships I've made and Lehigh strengthening my passion for running which is still with me today."
Follow Lehigh Cross Country/Track and Field on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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That statement couldn't be truer for Lehigh track and field alums Bridget O'Connell '95 and Steve Gourley '00. O'Connell is the superintendent of the Palisades School District while Gourley serves as the Director of Options for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Bucks County. Unbeknownst to one another at the time, both were named recipients of the Pinnacle Award from BBBS for their efforts in growing the program.
BBBS of Bucks County helps pair vulnerable youth with adult and student volunteers to enrich the lives of these children and help them achieve their full potential. The organization hosted 'The BIG Event Gala' on November 2 and honored several contributors with their Pinnacle Award at the event, including O'Connell and Gourley.
O'Connell and her team at the Palisades School District helped start a relationship with BBBS to implement a mentoring program pairing Palisades High School students with Durham Nockamixon Elementary School students. This partnership was established just prior to the pandemic, and the interaction between the two has been going strong ever since.
"As these relationships developed for our students - both Bigs and Littles - the benefits of the program became apparent - leadership, mentoring, accountability, responsibility, character building and a sense of belonging have been positive outcomes we are proud to recognize and foster," said O'Connell. "The work we have done to support this project from a management perspective has been far outweighed by the benefits we have seen our students enjoy."
When she and other Palisades administrators were honored in early November at the gala, O'Connell surely did not expect to see someone she knew also receive the same distinction, let alone a fellow Lehigh track & field alum.
"I was so delighted to see Steve at the gala event in early November," said O'Connell. "When we first saw each other, we didn't know that he too was receiving the Pinnacle Award, so I was thrilled to be there to recognize his commitment to students and community."
Gourley, who has been working for BBBS for 20 years, was also honored with the Pinnacle Award for his work with the Options Program, which provides professional mentoring and other valuable services to Bucks County youth supported by local juvenile justice or child welfare agencies.
"It was great reconnecting with Bridget and I was happy she and the team at Palisades were recognized for supporting and expanding school-based mentoring in their district," said Gourley. "From my time at Lehigh, I knew Bridget would be a fantastic leader and have a successful career helping others."
Both O'Connell and Gourley were four-year members of the track & field program at Lehigh while Gourley also ran cross country. O'Connell also served as an assistant coach with her alma mater for two years after graduation. Both alums give credit to their time as runners for instilling values that they have both used in their professional careers.
"This award would not have been possible without a team of district and community members coming together around the common goal of supporting our students to be the best that they can be as learners and leaders," said O'Connell. "As a student-athlete at Lehigh, I too felt supported by my coaches, teammates, and trainers to be the best I could be as a student and leader. I'm so grateful for my experience at Lehigh."
"My time running for Lehigh cross country and track and field instilled in me a strong work ethic, an ability to persevere through challenges, and the skills to be a good teammate," said Gourley. "Lehigh's athletic programs helped hone my time management and organization skills. Both have been extremely helpful in my career. I'm also very grateful for the friendships I've made and Lehigh strengthening my passion for running which is still with me today."
Follow Lehigh Cross Country/Track and Field on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
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