Cougar Athletics Gets New Director

Nate Frankman Is Our New Athletic Director!

Gross Catholic is pleased to announce Nate Frankman as our new athletic director for the 2025-26 school year. Mr. Frankman graduated from Briar Cliff University in 2020 and started as a math teacher at Bellevue East High School that fall.  In addition to his classroom teaching, he’s been the Chieftains’ head girls soccer coach and also coached boys basketball at Bellevue East and Mission Middle School. He earned a master’s degree in high school administration in July, 2023.

Coach Nate Frankman“I am excited and blessed to join the Gross Catholic family as the new athletic director. The leadership and administrative teams have been fantastic to work with, and I look forward to meeting all the students and staff! Gross has a strong culture of faith and family that I look forward to continuing and growing in all of our athletics and activities. I am eager to work with our coaches and sponsors to support them in their roles and responsibilities.”

Welcome to the Cougar community, Nate!

O’Donnell to step down as Athletic Director

An Era Ends as O’Donnell Announces Departure!

Gross Catholic would like to announce that Terry O’Donnell will step down as the athletic director at Gross Catholic High in June. This change comes after he began his journey at Gross as the assistant athletic director in July 2022. A year later, O’Donnell took on the athletic director role following Mike Dempsey’s retirement, ‘75.

From High School Athlete to Educator

O’Donnell attended Gross Catholic and graduated in 1998. During his time as a student, O’Donnell excelled as a multi-sport athlete, participating in football, basketball, baseball, and track. After graduating from Gross, he attended Bellevue University, where he studied business and played basketball. His aspirations shifted toward education, leading him to transfer to the University of Nebraska, Omaha. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education while also helping to coach Bellevue University’s basketball team. Throughout his distinguished career, O’Donnell has made a significant impact in athletic communities across the city as well as at Gross.

O’Donnell’s Heartfelt Farewell

Reflecting on his decision to step down, O’Donnell stated, “The expectations of the job have been tough for me to balance with the father and husband I want to be. I want to thank the faculty and staff for making this opportunity to be at Gross Catholic one of the greatest honors of my life. I’ve had the opportunity to do work that matters to people who matter to me in a place that is very near and dear to my heart. I will continue to serve this community that I love as a coach, alumnus, parent (very soon), and whatever other ways God might lay out before me at this special place.”

A Community Legacy

O’Donnell is married to Gross alumna Rosa Valencia, ’00, and they are proud parents to three children. Their family is active in the local community and are parishioners at St. Joan of Arc.

Search Underway

The pursuit for the next athletic director is now underway, as Gross Catholic High School prepares to navigate this transition and continue its tradition of excellence in athletics.

Parent Paws Newsletter

Stay Informed with Parent Paws: Insights, Updates, and More

Parent Paws is a cherished cornerstone of our communication efforts here at Gross Catholic High School, designed exclusively for our valued parents and families. This weekly newsletter serves as an invaluable window into the dynamic world of our school, ensuring that you stay intimately connected with all the exciting happenings and developments.

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Our Spring Musical is Cinderella!

Experience the Magic of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Broadway Adaptation of Cinderella at Gross Catholic High School!

Cinderella LogoAre you ready to be swept away by a classic musical with a modern twist? The Broadway adaptation of Cinderella is coming to Gross Catholic High School, and you won’t want to miss it.

Prepare to be captivated by new characters, a hilarious libretto, and surprising twists that will leave you on the edge of your seat. And, of course, you’ll be treated to the unforgettable score from the legendary Rodgers & Hammerstein.

Ticket Information

To ensure you have a seat, purchase your tickets in advance by visiting the online ticket link. You can also find ticket links in the bios of the Gross Catholic Theatre Department’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Tickets are also available at the door, with adults paying $7 and students $5. Be sure to bring cash or check, as those are the only forms of payment accepted at the door.

Cinderella Dates and Times

Glass slipper and pumpkinThe house opens 30 minutes before each show. Performances are scheduled for Thursday, March 27 through Saturday, March 29 at 7:30 PM. On Sunday, March 30, the show will start at 2 PM.

No glass slippers or fairy godmothers are required – just your ticket and eager anticipation for an unforgettable theatrical experience. So don’t worry about losing track of time and missing out. This Cinderella story has a happier ending in store!

Reach Out

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Gross Catholic Theatre Department by email at grosscatholictheatre@gmail.com.

You Won’t Want to Miss Cinderella!

Don’t miss your chance to find your happily ever after! Get your tickets today and prepare to be enchanted by the Broadway adaptation of this classic musical!

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Donohue Recognized with Distinguished Alumni Award

Inspiring Graduates, Enduring Impact!

Gross Catholic takes great pride in the remarkable achievements of our alumni. To honor their enduring commitment to our school’s values, we established the Distinguished Alumni Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates graduates who have continued to embody our motto, “Dux Esto” (Be a Leader), through their professional accomplishments or dedicated service to others. Each year, we are privileged to acknowledge the nominees and present the award at our annual Celebration event in April, showcasing the lasting impact of a Gross Catholic education. The 2024-2025 recipient is Mike Donohue, Jr. Congratulations!

From High School to Family Life

Michael (Mike) Donohue, Jr. graduated from Gross Catholic High School in 1986. After graduating, he went to UNL and then returned back home to run the family business, Donohue’s Pub. He is one of five children who all attended St. Thomas More Parish and school. Mike and his wife, Tara, have been happily married since March 25, 1995 and will soon celebrate their 30th anniversary! He has five nephews and five nieces, whom he treats like his own children and loves dearly.

Mike Donohue Gives Back

Mike spends countless hours each week on the campus of Gross Catholic. He is an integral part of our student lunch program serving lunch three days a week. Not only does he charge just his cost for each lunch, but he donates a portion of what is collected back to the school each week!

As the owner of Donohue’s Pub, he supports the Cougar Community through donations to every event and fundraiser for the school. The bar has been known to host numerous Gross Catholic class reunion events, several engagement parties for Cougar Alums, and even the occasional funeral luncheon.

A Devout Catholic

Three years ago Mike’s father became ill and was no longer able to drive himself to daily Mass. Mike committed to take him and join him every day to share his love for his faith and honor his father. Today, his father is no longer able to attend Mass, however Mike continues this daily commitment to our Lord and attends for both of them. In addition, he opens up St. Adalbert’s each morning at 6:00 am for Fr. Jaehwa. Mike understands the call for sacrifice. He extends the Lenten sacrifice of abstaining from meat on Fridays throughout the year. He represents the model for living his life through the Marianist Values.

Congratulations, Mike Donohue on receiving this award!

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Monthly Marianist Moments

A Window into the Cougar Community

Marianist Moments is a cherished monthly publication that offers our Gross Catholic High School families a unique glimpse into our community’s vibrant life. This resource provides insights into being a part of the Marianist Family and what makes our school so special. Stay connected and informed with this essential read.

Explore the Latest Issue

 

Jr. High Strength and Conditioning Spring Camp & Summer Camps are Here!

Jr. High Strength & Conditioning Spring Camp

This camp will teach athletes how to properly and safely lift weights as well as work on speed agility, and change of direction. This is a great way to prepare for the summer workouts that incoming freshmen athletes participate in with their teammates. Camp will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:15-5:15 pm in the Health and conditioning center. This camp is capped at 50 participants so don’t wait to sign up!

Register for Jr. High Strength & Conditioning Spring Camp

Summer Camps

Looking for a fun and enriching way for your child to spend the summer? Look no further than GC Summer Camps! With a wide range of camp options, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and learn.

Register for Summer Camps

Sports

For sports enthusiasts, we offer camps in baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, band, and soccer. Our experienced coaches provide top-notch instruction that will help your child improve their skills and take their game to the next level. But our camps are about more than just sports – they also provide a valuable opportunity for children to learn important life skills like leadership, communication, and responsibility.

Technology and Engineering

If your child is interested in technology and engineering, we have camps in construction engineering, computer engineering, game design, mechanical engineering, and robotics. These camps offer a hands-on learning experience that will challenge your child’s creativity and problem-solving abilities, all while having fun and making new friends.

Creativity

But it’s not just about sports and technology – we also offer art camp. Art camp provides a chance for your child to explore their creative side and express themselves in new ways. And, as with all of our camps, they offer valuable life skills like teamwork, confidence, and self-respect.

Learn and Grow!

At GC Summer Camps, we believe that camp is about more than just having fun (although that’s definitely a big part of it!). It’s also an opportunity for children to learn and grow in ways that they might not be able to during the school year. Our camps are designed to foster important life skills that will help your child succeed both on and off the field.

And the best part? When you sign up for multiple camps, you can enjoy a discount. So why not try something new and sign up for a few different camps this summer? Your child will thank you for it!

Register for Summer Camps

What You May Have Missed

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If you’re not already a Cougar, you should be one. Learn more about us and then let us know if you have any questions. We’d love for you to join our cougar family!

Join Us at Open House

Your Home For Education!

Open House, November 2025

Gross Catholic High School has a supportive, family environment like no other. It’s a warm, inviting place where students can be seen, be understood, and be themselves. Come to our Open House the second Sunday of November and see for yourself.

We’re a school that throws open the doors for every student willing to learn. And when they walk across the threshold, we embrace them with exactly what they need to thrive: a house away from home, knowledge and real-world experiences, unprecedented support from teachers and peers, a haven to deepen their faith, and a clear path to leadership.

Parent Brain vs. Kid Brain

When thinking ahead to high school, one thing is certain – parents and their kids think differently.
The opposing thoughts may look a little something like this….

Parent Brain

How do we know which school is right for our child?
What is the culture of the school?
Are the academics competitive?
Will this school prepare my son or daughter for college?
Will they fit in?

Kid Brain

Will I get to use my phone at school?
What are the lunches like?
Will there be tons of homework?
Do they have the sports, activities and clubs I am interested in?
Will I fit in?

Open House Answers Questions

If only there was one event at which both parents and kids could get all their questions answered and more. Good news – open house is that event…and it’s coming soon.

Join us on Sunday, the second Sunday of November, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. to hear directly from our students, faculty, administration and alumni about how your child will fit in at Gross Catholic. We can’t wait to share our opportunities in academics, leadership, athletics, activities, and campus ministry. Plus, you’ll get to tour our amazing innovation center and hear about our career academies.

What You May Have Missed

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Like us on Facebook.
Follow us on Instagram.
Follow our mascot, Freddie Cougar, on Facebook.

Summer Hours!

Summer Hours at Gross Catholic High School

It’s summertime, and Gross Catholic High School is adjusting our schedule to accommodate the season and ensure our community can still reach us efficiently.

During the summer months, our administrative offices will be open from Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 1 PM.

Please note that we will be closed on Fridays, giving our staff a well-deserved extended weekend to relax and recharge.

Fourth of July Holiday

Additionally, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday, our offices will be closed on July 4th and July 5th.

We hope everyone enjoys a safe and joyous Independence Day celebration with family and friends.

Have a Great Summer!

We look forward to welcoming everyone back with our regular hours at the end of summer. If you have any questions or need assistance during our summer schedule, please do not hesitate to contact us within our operating hours.

Enjoy your summer!

Textbook Ordering

Get Your 2024-2025 Textbooks!

Book ShoppingStudents will need a list of classes to know which textbook to order for each course. A list is sent to families in early July.

All textbooks need to be purchased by each individual family. We do not require paper textbooks to be purchased from any particular publisher. Be sure to shop around. Use the ISBN number to search for the correct text. See below for instructions for digital texts.

See Textbooks

Instructions for Book Ordering

After selecting the link above, a Google spreadsheet will open. Follow the tabs at the bottom of the textbook list. First open and read the “instruction” tab, then proceed to the grade level(s) for your student(s). Each grade level is organized by department and course numbers. Use the course numbers from your student’s course request sheet to find their classes on the list. Information for any required book/instructional material is then provided for each class.

Please read all version and instruction information for each class. Check the School Supply List tab at the bottom to see if your course needs any additional supplies.

How to order materials for SPANISH classes.

Some classes will give information on a textbook loan book that will be used but does NOT need to be purchased. These books must be returned when the course concludes or the student will be charged.

All Theology books have a link provided for purchase from the Sophia Institute.

Some classes are using digital books and will need to be purchased from the Savvas publisher link provided. hese include All Spanish classes and AP Biology(542).

For all other courses requiring a book use the ISBN provided to purchase from the suggested site or any online book purchasing site.

Please send all questions to textbooks@gcgmail.org.