The Girls' Greater Catholic League (abbreviated GGCL, formerly the Girls' Greater Cincinnati League) is a high school sports league composed of five all-girls schools in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. In 2013, the girls' teams at the league's co-ed schools joined the Greater Catholic League, which until then was the GGCL's counterpart for boys.

About Girls' Greater Catholic League

In the world of high school athletics, the Girls' Greater Catholic League (GGCL) is a special organization. Five all-girls Catholic schools—Mount Notre Dame, Mercy McAuley, Seton, St. Ursula Academy, and Ursuline Academy—come together for intense competition in a variety of sports under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

The Greater Catholic League, its coed equivalent, was founded in 1970, but the GGCL existed before it. This devotion to girls' sports speaks loudly about the league's goal of using sports to empower young women.

But there's more to the GGCL than just winning and losing. It's all about building a sense of belonging and sportsmanship that are based on common Catholic principles. In order to produce well-rounded players who thrive on and off the field, the league places a strong emphasis on character development in addition to athletic ability.

With many state titles and collegiate-caliber talent produced by its member schools, the GGCL has a long history of sports accomplishments. Beyond the medals, though, the league helps athletes from many institutions develop a sense of sisterhood and comradery.

Young women may push themselves to the limit, make friends, and develop personally through the GGCL, which offers a platform for anything from shouts during basketball games to cross-country runners encouraging one another to the finish line.

Thus, keep in mind that the Girls' Greater Catholic League is more than simply a sports league the next time you hear about it. It's evidence of the ability of religion, rivalry, and community to mold young ladies into winners in the ring and in life.

Mission

The mission of the league is to provide and promote a Christian atmosphere for the development of young ladies through interscholastic competition. Good sportsmanship and respect is of the utmost importance and school spirit will always be encouraged. The GGCL athletic activities are organized and supervised in harmony with policies of the member schools and the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

Teams

• Mercy McAuley High School
• Mount Notre Dame High School
• St. Ursula Academy
• Seton High School
• Ursuline Academy

History

In 1966 the first league competition began among a group of girls' Catholic high schools in the area. Extramural games in basketball and volleyball were played among the schools in the next couple of years. Few records were kept and the league was loosely organized by some coaches and students.

This was not the first competition for these schools. Most had participated in play days and games for quite a few years. Prior to league competition, emphasis was placed on the social aspect of sport. The refreshments and social hour after the game were as important or more important than the game. Rivalries were friendly and the game scores incidental.

In the first years schools were represented at league meetings by interested teachers and often students were delegated to attend. At first, some educators resisted the formation of a structured league. As new people entered the schools and assumed responsibility for sports programs changes occurred in the league.

Structure was added to the league, and rules and policies were made to meet the needs of the emerging girl athlete. Regular meetings were held and slowly the emphasis shifted from cookies and punch to skill development and highly contested games. League championships were held and many regular season games were well attended.

With the onset of State sponsored tournaments for girls in 1975–1976 it became obvious that the league was one of the strongest in the city and state. In the first state volleyball tournament Seton was AAA Runner Up and Ursuline AA Champions. Since then the league has usually been represented in State Tournaments in most sports.

The publicity and excellent play the League has fostered has meant opportunities for member students to receive athletic scholarships. College coaches look to this League for skilled athletics and Christian sportswomen to complement their programs.

As years go by additional sports have become League sports. All-League athletes are honored each year in all League sports. Each year the League takes on new challenges to improve girls' sports.

Beginning with the 2013–14 school year, the league experienced a restructuring. The co-ed schools formerly in the GGCL began competing in the co-ed division (separate from the GGCL), while the co-ed division schools continued to play games against GGCL schools in a renamed Girls' Greater Catholic League. Previously, GGCL schools were split into two divisions: the GGCL Gray consisted of the co-ed schools, while the Scarlet consisted of the all female schools. The boys from the co-ed member schools compete in the GCL.

In 2018, Mother of Mercy High School merged with McAuley High School to become Mercy McAuley High School, bringing the league's membership to five schools.

State championships

See also

• Greater Catholic League

External links

• Official website