Padua Academy students at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
WILMINGTON — Phil Martelli, esteemed former basketball coach at St. Joseph’s University, delivered the keynote address to a group of several hundred people Nov. 22 at the Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon at the Chase Center.
The Trainor scholarships were established in the spring of 2005 as a way to honor a unique and inspiring priest, according to the society. The society created the scholarships as a way to recognize Father Trainor’s many years of commitment to the people of Wilmington, where he spent most of his years in ministry. He was known for his strong dedication to the importance of Catholic education.
Each year, an eighth-grade student from a Diocese of Wilmington grade school within the city of Wilmington is awarded $1,000 toward their Catholic secondary education at a high school of their choice. It continues for subsequent years as funding permits.
Father James F. Trainor
The society says the scholarships continue Father Trainor’s mission of helping the city by supporting Catholic education and the values it teaches. Since 2005, the society reports, the program has provided $400,000 in scholarships.
Wilmington Catholic school students eligible for the scholarship attend St. Elizabeth, St. Peter Cathedral, Serviam Girls Academy, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Ann and Nativity Prep.
Martelli, currently an ESPN commentator, spent 34 years coaching at St. Joseph’s, the last 24 as head coach. He finished his coaching career as an assistant at University of Michigan.
St. Ann students at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Bishop Koenig chats with Phil Martelli, former St. Joseph’s University basketball coach, at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Padua Academy students at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Padua Academy staff and administrators at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Bishop Koenig offers the invocation at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
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Serviam Girls Academy students at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Saint Mark’s High School students at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Mike Hare of the St. Patrick’s Day Society welcomes people at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Bridget McNamara, a senior at Archmere Academy, sings the National Anthem at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Bishop Emeritus Malooly says hello to people at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Cathedral school students with Principal Karen Banta and Father Joseph W. McQuaide IV, pastor, at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
St. Elizabeth High school students at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens
Ursuline Academy students at the 2024 Father James Trainor Scholarship Luncheon. Dialog photo/Joseph P. Owens