School Track to Be Named after Legendary Track and Field Coach, Pat McGee

In the spring of 1974, resident, Pat McGee started volunteering for the boys and girls spring track team after her children became active in the sport, and in 1981 was appointed as the boys’ coach. What started out as a passion for the sport, became a lifelong career, and McGee built a positive reputation amongst high school athletes, until she retired in 2010.

The now 90-year-old McGee will get a chance to witness her hard work and passion pay off, as the School Committee unanimously agreed to dedicate the new high school/middle school track to her before the start of the 2019-2020 school year.

“I couldn’t think of a more deserving person to do this for than Pat McGee,” said Valentino Capobianco, School Committee Chair. “When you think of the sport of high school track in Winthrop, you think of Pat McGee. This is a tribute to how active she has been in the town, not only in the school system, but as a community member with the Chamber of Commerce, the Winthrop Playmakers, and Holy Rosary – just how much she supports the community and the children of the town. She has been a leader in this town for years as a beloved coach, community activist, and a substitute teacher.”

Capobianco said he expects the town to hold a dedication ceremony for the Pat McGee Track in September.

Growing up in the depression, McGee didn’t have an opportunity to partake in high school track herself, however that didn’t stop her from developing a passion later in life. Her love of the sport came honestly as her father was a track and football athlete, and McGee grew up watching meets, which led her to develop a natural love of sports. It wasn’t until McGee was in her 50s, that she started running road races and partaking in senior sporting events for herself.

After years of coaching and dedicating her life to the sport, McGee’s coaching career will forever live on in the halls of Winthrop High School and on Miller Field. 

“My mother was somebody who bled Viking blue and gold,” said Paul McGee, Pat’s son and fellow athlete. She loves the town and has always wanted to do anything she could to support it and help the kids in Winthrop. She loved what she did and never got tired of it, especially when it came to seeing students succeed athletically and academically.”