As Jackie Neary enters her 20th season with Cabrini’s field hockey and women’s lacrosse programs, she has much to celebrate.
Her name is nearly synonymous with women’s athletics at Cabrini. She started Cabrini’s women’s lacrosse program from scratch in 1997, and then coached the team to an undefeated 15-0 season in 1998.
The 2015–16 season will be her 20th with the field hockey and women’s lacrosse programs, and her 10th as the Athletics department’s student-athlete wellness coordinator, a position dedicated to helping student-athletes adjust to the college environment, specifically in the academic and personal spectrums.
A 2013 Cabrini Hall of Fame inductee, nine-time Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Coach of the Year (1997, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014), and 2014 Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Metro Region Coach of the Year, Neary’s career is the stuff of legend.
Owner of a 230-103 career record, she’s guided women’s lacrosse to 13 CSAC titles, including a run of eight straight crowns from 1998–2005 and the 2014 title.
She’s mentored the Blue and White to 11 appearances all-time in the NCAA Tournament, leading Cabrini to the conference’s first five automatic qualifying berths from 2000 to 2005. In 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2014, the Cavaliers hoisted the CSAC hardware and advanced to the national postseason.
Neary’s no slouch as a field hockey coach, either, totaling a 190-170 career mark and guiding the Cavaliers to two straight conference titles in 2009 and 2010.
A three-time Coach of the Year, she garnered the leagues’ top sideline distinction in 2008, coaching the Cavaliers to a perfect 9-0 regular season CSAC record and the No. 1 seed in the postseason tournament.
But Neary has more to celebrate than her distinguished coaching career.
On March 16, Neary was honored by the American Cancer Society at its annual Philadelphia Coaches vs. Cancer Breakfast, having been named the 2015 recipient of the Charley Dinsmore Award, an honor presented to a cancer survivor who embodies the characteristics of the late Coaches vs. Cancer supporter and friend Charley Dinsmore: a lover of life and athletics who demonstrates a true commitment to the fight against cancer.
In 2000, Neary led the Cavaliers to the women’s field hockey CSAC championship game while battling cancer and the effects of radiation and chemotherapy treatments.
In her mid-30s, Neary was diagnosed with choriocarcinoma only a few short weeks after giving birth to her fourth child.
The cancer, already affecting several organs, was headed for her brain. Adding chemotherapy to the schedule of a collegiate head coach and young mother of four was more than she thought she could handle, but she adopted for her personal life the team mentality and “Cavalier attitude” that she coached on the field.
With the support of fellow coaches, the athletic director, and her student-athletes, Neary continued coaching during her treatment.
“I didn’t want to show how scared I was, but the support was so appreciated. I will never forget the hugs, the phone calls, and the way people stepped in to help me out,” said Neary.
“I tell all my players that life may not be wrapped in a bow, but it is a gift.”
In that same year that the Blue and White competed in the CSAC championship game, Neary finished her final chemotherapy treatment and declared herself cancer-free.
In 2001, Neary received the most coveted of Cabrini Athletics honors—the Denise Edwards Award. Given to an individual who best exemplifies the spirit of Cabrini Athletics, Neary remains the only Cavalier coach to receive the prestigious award.
While her message has touched the hearts and minds of many throughout the Greater Philadelphia area, Neary remains focused on making sure it reaches the student-athletes she sees every day.
“While it has always and will always be part of my life, 15 years after my diagnosis, my story continues to have an impact on others,” said Neary.
“While many of my former players knew the story, most of my current players and more recent alums just knew that I was a survivor. After learning about the award, I think my current players and more recent alums have a different picture of me.
“Hopefully, it has given them more insight into the way I coach and teach them about life on and off the field.”
This article was featured in Cabrini Magazine.