Swimming and Diving

Coach

Cathy Hay

staylor@vmahs.org

Catherine (Cathy) Walsh Hay is one of Chester County’s most successful high school women’s swimming coaches. At West Chester State College (now West Chester University) Cathy was the captain of the Women’s Varsity Swimming team for three years, leading the squad to undefeated seasons in every season.

After graduation she taught health and physical education at Marple Newton High School where she coached the swimming team to undefeated seasons and a District I Championship (1971), and had similar successes at Immaculata College until the program was discontinued.

She was appointed head Women’s Swimming coach at Villa Maria Academy High School when the program was inaugurated for the 1999-2000 season. Beginning in 2003 her teams have won 18 consecutive Women’s AA District One Championships (2003-2020), and 8 consecutive AA State Championships (2011-2018).

Cathy has received numerous honors for her coaching including three Chester County Coach of the Year awards, and the 2012 and 2016 Pennsylvania State Swimming Coach of the Year. In 2015 she was inducted into the West Chester University Hall of Fame.