The Mighty Macs 2011

It’s 1971, and Cathy Rush is a woman ahead of her time, poised to embark on a remarkable adventure. As a new era emerges in collegiate athletics, the country gears up for its first-ever national championship in women’s basketball. While prominent universities strategize for the coveted title, a small all-women’s Catholic college in Philadelphia faces a more immediate concern: finding a coach before the season kicks off. Luckily, Cathy Rush is about to discover Immaculata College.

Recently married, Cathy navigates the aftermath of a truncated playing career. Defying societal expectations that would have her stay at home, she’s determined to put in the effort needed to guide her new team toward their aspirations. Perhaps, in doing so, she’s also striving to fulfill her own unaccomplished dreams through them.

From the outset, the hurdles she encounters are formidable—akin to the dominant teams Immaculata will compete against on the court. Cathy soon realizes there is no gymnasium available on campus, encounters limited support from the school’s Mother Superior, and grapples with serious financial constraints. As if that weren’t enough, she might not even have sufficient players to form a team!

However, amid what seems like insurmountable odds, hope flickers on the horizon. With the assistance of Sister Sunday, a spirited assistant coach, and the backing of an enthusiastic booster club of elderly nuns, Coach Rush devises a new game plan that could unite not only the team but the entire school.

Will this trailblazer challenge societal norms and elevate her rag-tag team to unforeseen heights? Or could her relentless drive alienate her from those around her? One thing is clear: Cathy Rush’s presence at Immaculata is unlike anything the school has ever experienced!

THE MIGHTY MACS is inspired by the incredible true story of the 1971-72 Immaculata College team, who transitioned from obscurity to become the original Cinderella story in women’s basketball. This group of pioneers went from barely qualifying for the inaugural tournament to establishing the first dynasty in their sport. Additionally, Cathy Rush, a woman truly ahead of her time, achieved enduring recognition when she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

THE MIGHTY MACS features Carla Gugino as Cathy Rush, David Boreanaz as her husband and NBA referee Ed Rush, Marley Shelton as Sister Sunday, and Academy Award and Tony Award winner Ellen Burstyn as Mother St. John. Written, directed, and produced by Tim Chambers, the film boasts executive producers Pat Croce, the former president of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, and Vince Curran, a successful businessman and former basketball star at Penn. Curran and Chambers are also founding partners of Quaker Media.

Prepare to cheer for a real-life Cinderella team when THE MIGHTY MACS hits theaters on October 21!