Hall of Fame
For over five decades, Mrs. Catherine D. Gallagher dedicated her life toward improving high school athletics.
Over the final 20 years of her career she made the most impact while she served Section XI as the Associate Director starting in 1973, and as the Executive Director starting in 1982 until her retirement in 2003. Gallagher implemented countless policies, procedures, and reforms that helped improve the efficiency and operation of Section XI. She played a significant role in the reorganization of Section XI's structure, and in 1985, she oversaw progress that made Section XI the first Section to successfully computerize their entire office. In 1998 the Section experienced another technological leap under her leadership with the creation of a Section web site.
Furthermore, Gallagher was instrumental in establishing the Long Island Football Championships (1992) and facilitating a Section wide sportsmanship program a year later. To help improve quality control in the Section, Gallagher also instituted the position of Coordinator of Supervision and Revenue Collection for all Sectional tournaments.
Throughout her tenure as Section XI Executive Director, Gallagher worked with several committees and associations. Notably, she was a Suffolk Softball Officials Chairperson from 1968-73. At the NYSPHSAA level, she has served on the Equity Committee, Officials Coordinating Federation Committee, numerous Appeal Panels, and the Classification Committee. Gallagher still actively serves on several committees.
Gallagher began her career as a physical education teacher and coach at Smithtown Central Schools (1959-61), then at Cold Spring Harbor Central Schools (1961-64). Following her tenure as a teacher and coach, she became an official for basketball, softball, field hockey, and volleyball starting in the late ‘60’s.
Since 1992, Gallagher has been recognized for 11 different awards including Brookhaven Town Woman of the Year (1997), New York State Athletic Administrators Association (NYSAAA) Chapter 11 award (1997), the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Award of Merit (1999), and the Suffolk Field Hockey Roz Mularz Award (2002).
Gallagher graduated from Webutuck Central School in Amenia, NY and received her Bachelors degree in Physical Education from Springfield College. She received her Masters degree in Liberal Studies from Stony Brook University.