O’Donnell Returns to His Alma Mater
Gross Catholic is pleased to announce that alumnus Terrence O’Donnell will join the administrative team as Assistant Athletic Director starting this July.
O’Donnell’s Upbringing
To begin with, Terrence attended St. Joan of Arc Elementary and Middle School in Westgate. While at Gross, Terrance was a multi-sport athlete: football, basketball, baseball, and track. Accordingly, he entered Bellevue University to study business and play basketball. After deciding to become a teacher, he transferred to the University of Nebraska, Omaha to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education. While at UNO, he helped coach Bellevue University’s basketball team.
Professional Career
Terrence has held several positions in his professional career. He spent a year in South America teaching middle and high school English in Cali, Colombia. He returned stateside to teach social studies at Omaha South High School. There he coached Freshman and JV boys’ basketball. Subsequently, O’Donnell moved to Bryan High School where for nine years he taught history and sociology and was the Varsity boys’ basketball coach.
Currently, Terrence serves as Athletic Director at St. Joan of Arc where he coordinates physical education for the Dual Language Academy in the Consortium of the Archdiocese of Omaha. At DLA, his emphasis has been on bodily kinesthetic intelligences – helping students understand how to use and control their bodies and the importance of a holistically healthy lifestyle. He has also facilitated partnerships with Creighton University Men’s Soccer and Bellevue University Volleyball to ensure professional development for coaches. This spring he will complete a master’s degree in Educational Leadership at UNO.
Deep Ties to South Omaha
Terrence has deep ties to the South Omaha community and has been influential in athletic communities throughout the city. He was the co-founder and Director of Basketball Development for the girls’ basketball team Mid-City Mambas. Also, O’Donnell has volunteered with Completely Kids and Police Athletics for Community Engagement (PACE). Finally, he is active with the Dual Language Home and School Association and serves on the school board at St. Joan of Arc.
The Family O’Donnell
Terrence is married to Gross alumna, Rosa Valencia ’00, and they have three children. They are parishioners at St. Joan of Arc. Notably, Terrence enjoys triathlon training and mountain biking, practices mindfulness and yoga, and is an avid adventure traveler.
Excited for the Return
“I am incredibly excited to return to Gross and serve this wonderful family. I look forward to working closely with our coaches as they continue to develop our student-athletes to strive to be the best versions of themselves and operate at the highest level of excellence in the classroom, on the field and court, and in the community in such a way as to attract more and more wonderful families to our Marianist mission. DUX ESTO!”
“Estoy tan emocianodo a volver a Gross High School para servir. Pienso en el futuro a trabajar con nuestros entrenadores apasionados mientre suigen a desarrar nuestros estudiantes deportistas a tratar de ser los versiónes mejores de sus mismos y representar en las salas de la escuela, las canchas, y la cominidad en una manera que atrae mas familias maravillosas a nuestra misión Marianist. DUX ESTO!”
What You May Have Missed
- Summer Camps are Here!
- Learn About the Global Outreach Program
- The State of Gross Catholic High School
- Lights for the Baseball Field
- Gaby Gandara Awarded Full Ride to Princeton
- Top 5 Reasons Families Choose Gross Catholic
- Choosing Gross Catholic After Public School
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Host a Student and Assist 
Gross Catholic’s baseball program is steeped in tradition and has been a point of pride in our community since the school’s inception in 1968. Recently, our baseball facility suffered major damages from a storm in July 2021. The storm knocked down four wooden light poles and caused further damage to the concession stand, dugouts, bullpen, and fencing.
This investment will add sustainable benefits that will serve our baseball program, as well as Legion and Junior Cougar Baseball, long into the future. The product assurance and warranty program, which includes materials and onsite labor, will eliminate 100 percent of maintenance costs for the next 25 years.
The support of this project highlights the commitment that our alumni and community have for Gross Catholic.
Early in high school, Gaby didn’t think her family would ever be able to afford college and doubted herself academically. After her freshman year, Gaby transferred to Gross Catholic. She was familiar with the school and knew several students. Gaby knew, based on how kind the students were, that she would find an accepting and welcoming environment at Gross.
The date finally arrived when she would find out if she would be matched with one of her top college choices. Looking at the screen, she reached for the button and hesitated. She looked at her mom. She even looked at her dog sitting there. And then she pressed the button. Suddenly, the screen filled with confetti! Yes! 
Mollner Excited to Be Back in the Area
This past summer 
Miranda Engelkamp ‘02 started a screenprinting business, 
Gross Catholic alumni are an integral part of the Cougar Family, and we are honored when our alumni choose to send their children to their alma mater. The Gross Catholic High School Alumni Community—over 8,600 strong—are always welcomed to come home again!