The Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame Board of Directors recently presented a $2,000 scholarship to Montgomery County Community College student-athlete, Aidan Phelan, to help him achieve his educational goals.

The Board established the $10,000 scholarship fund in 2018, when the Hall of Fame tribute was moved to its new home in MCCC’s Health Sciences Center on its Blue Bell Campus. Each year, the Board presents a $2,000 scholarship to assist a student with tuition and other costs.

Board President Jeff Schools is proud of the partnership between the Hall of Fame and MCCC and wants to help students be successful.

"Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame is proud to partner with Montgomery County Community College to provide assistance to a deserving student such as Aiden Phelan,” said President Schools. “This partnership represents the vibrant nexus in Montgomery County of private, public and non-profit volunteer spirit to promote our legacy of leadership in the county and to 'pay it forward' for the next generation. We cherish such a unique partnership and thank Montgomery College for its willingness to embrace and promote this scholarship."

In addition to the Board of Directors, Steve Carcarey, an MCCC alumnus and one of the 2022 coach honorees, participated in the check presentation. Carcarey graduated from MCCC in 1991 with an associate’s degree in criminal justice. He was the head baseball coach at Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School for five years and became head coach at Widener University for eight seasons.

The scholarship recipient, Aidan Phelan, is an Exercise Science and Wellness major who started at MCCC in 2021. He is a member of the Mustangs “Overwatch” esports team, where he has achieved the rank of grand master, which is considered the top one percent for his position.

In addition to esports, Phelan has played football and lacrosse and wrestled for his school district. He has earned a third-degree black belt and is instructor for this dad’s karate school, Phoenix Karate, in Phoenixville.

Prominently displayed at MCCC, the Hall of Fame tribute is an inspiring display of plaques honoring Montgomery County coaches for their service, dedication and leadership. Anyone born or raised in Montgomery County or anyone who has spent a significant portion of their coaching career in the county is eligible for induction. The Hall of Fame also includes lifetime and achievement awards for persons who distinguished themselves in the world of sports.

About the Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame

The Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame was formed in 2002 to honor the amazing “Legacy of Leadership” that has existed in the coaching ranks in Montgomery County. Coaches who were born in Montgomery County or coached a significant portion of their career in the county, have been inducted.

Since 2002, a total of 160 coaches have entered the prestigious Hall. In addition, the organization gives the Lifetime Achievement Award to an individual who has played an important role in the Montgomery County sports scene. The organization annually casts the spotlight on volunteer coaches by placing them in the Montgomery County Community Coaches Honor Roll.

All of these honors have a twofold purpose. Honoring coaches for their accomplishments certainly is key, but equally important is placing the coaches in the spotlight during the county’s premier sporting event so that they can provide inspiration to the next generation of athletes.

The Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that has designated the student scholarship fund at Montgomery County Community College as its primary beneficiary.