The Mighty Macs (2009)

In the early 70s, Cathy Rush becomes the head basketball coach at a tiny, all-girls Catholic college. Though her team has no gym and no uniforms -- and the school itself is in danger of being sold -- Coach Rush looks to steer her girls to their first national championship.

Director:

Tim Chambers

Writers:

Tim Chambers (screenplay), Tim Chambers (story),

Stars:

Carla Gugino, David Boreanaz, Marley Shelton

Cast

Credited cast:
Carla Gugino	...	Cathy Rush
David Boreanaz	...	Ed T. Rush
Marley Shelton	...	Sister Sunday
Ellen Burstyn	...	Mother St. John
Phyllis Somerville	...	Sister Sister
Lauren Bittner	...	Mary Margaret O'Malley
Christopher Mann	...	Julius Moore
Jennifer Butler	...	Nun (as Jennifer Wiener)
Jesse Draper	...	Mrs. Ballard
Kate Nowlin	...	Colleen McCann
Malachy McCourt	...	Monsignor
Pete Postiglione	...	Security Guard
Margaret Anne Florence	...	Rosemary Keenan
Ward Horton	...	Frankie Sharkey
Katie Hayek	...	Trish Sharkey

Storyline

It's 1971. Cathy Rush is a woman ahead of her time, and she's about to embark on an adventure for the ages. A new era is dawning in the country and in collegiate athletics, where a national champion will be crowned for the first time in women's basketball. In the lead up to this historical season, major universities are preparing their game plans to win that first title. Meanwhile a tiny all-women's Catholic college in Philadelphia has a more modest goal: find a coach before the season begins. Providentially, Cathy Rush is about to find Immaculata College. Recently married, Cathy is dealing with the aftermath of a truncated playing career. While cultural norms would have her staying at home, she's willing to do the hard work necessary to help her new team reach their goals-or perhaps she's just trying to achieve her unfulfilled dreams through them. From the beginning, her challenges are as imposing as the big-school teams Immaculata will face on the court. Cathy learns there is no ...

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Plot Keywords:

coach | college | basketball | catholic | nun | 

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Taglines:

She dared to dream. They dared to believe.

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Our Lady of Victory

Filming Locations:

Hill School - 717 E. High Street, Pottstown, Pennsylvania, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$963,221 (USA) (21 October 2011)

Gross:

$1,889,522 (USA) (18 November 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Quaker Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Early in the film, when the girls are in the library talking about joining the basketball team, one girl explains that her boyfriend gave her his letter jacket and she shows the others. It says "O'Hara" on the back. Writer/Director Tim Chambers graduated from Cardinal O'Hara high school in Springfield, Delaware County, PA.

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Goofs

When Cathy and Mother Superior enter Camilla Hall, the arched oak door has a panic bar of a type that wouldn't be common until the late '90's.

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Quotes

Sister Sunday: Not only is change possible; it's as vital as breathing.

User Reviews

Great family-friendly film with a "classic" feel

Based upon the true story of the Immaculata College women's basketball team, it is thoroughly refreshing to see a G-rated film with human actors in it. This values-oriented sports drama has the feel of an older, classic Hollywood film that emphasizes the importance of personal dreams, the will to win, and the need for shared sacrifice to achieve success.

These women were at the forefront of everyday women's liberation, depending upon themselves rather than politicians or demonstrations to achieve their goals. Their combined efforts helped to put college women's athletic programs "on the map". Later achievements of individual team members in women's athletics, business, non-profit foundations and academia tell us just how special these women really are.