By Jay Sorgi • Posted September 30, 2025

The Philadelphia Catholic League, one of the most respected high school sports conferences in America, is gaining another team.

Holy Ghost Preparatory School (HGP), an all-boys school with more than 450 students based in Bensalem, Bucks County, will become the 18th member of the PCL after being voted in by the conference’s Board of Governors. The Firebirds will join the conference beginning with the 2026 – 2027 academic year.

“The Philadelphia Catholic League is excited to welcome Holy Ghost Prep as a new member,” said Brian Patrick King, chair of the Philadelphia Catholic League and president of Father Judge High School.

“Their commitment to the student-athlete experience, like-minded focus on Catholic beliefs, and on-campus facilities will further strengthen the best league in the entire state.”

HGP has been operated by the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), an order of Catholic priests, since it opened in 1897. It is the only school in the United States run by the order, which has existed for more than 300 years. Its motto is “Cor Unum et Anima Una” which translates to “One Heart and One Mind” in English. The phrase comes from Acts 4:32.

Historically, the Spiritans focused much of their work supporting Black students, with financial help from Philadelphia’s own St. Katharine Drexel. She was instrumental in the land purchase for what is now Holy Ghost Prep, which previously was Holy Ghost Apostolic College, a seminary.

The Spiritans also operate Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.

Holy Ghost Prep reports that 100 percent of its graduates go on to college.

“We are beyond excited to begin this next chapter of Holy Ghost Prep athletics,” said HGP President Gregory Geruson.

“We are thrilled to join the Philadelphia Catholic League, and we are so appreciative of the opportunity. The PCL is a league of mission-driven schools, all with the common bond of our Catholic identity. The traditions and reputation of the PCL are unmatched.”

King noted that the league spent several months deliberating before reaching a voting consensus to add HGP to the 105-year-old athletic conference.

“This was a transparent and deliberate process that encompassed the full PCL membership,” said King. “I commend my colleagues, and specifically BJ Hogan, Chair of the Board of Directors and his peers for their work, deliberation and reflection.”

Holy Ghost Prep joins current conference members Archbishop Carroll, Archbishop Ryan, Archbishop Wood, Bonner & Prendie, Cardinal O’Hara, Conwell-Egan Catholic, Devon Prep, Father Judge, Lansdale Catholic, La Salle College, Little Flower, Nazareth Academy, Neumann-Goretti, Roman Catholic, St. Hubert, St. Joseph’s Prep, and West Catholic.

HGP currently sponsors 12 sports: baseball, basketball, bowling, cross-country, golf, indoor track and field, lacrosse, outdoor track and field, soccer, swimming, tennis and volleyball. It will remain in PIAA District 1 for the current school year, and then transition to District 12 next year as part of joining the PCL. The school was previously part of the Bicentennial Athletic League (BAL).

The school’s athletic facilities on its Bristol Pike campus include Chapman Arena at Firebird Fieldhouse for indoor sports like basketball, Duaime Athletic Complex for soccer and track and field, the Holt Center (which includes a second gymnasium,) Ted Sheridan Field for varsity baseball, and Father Sheridan Field for junior varsity baseball.

The Firebirds, whose colors are blue, red and white, won a PIAA Class 4A state championship in baseball in 2024, clinching the title with a walk-off RBI double by Mat Rindeau in a 6–5 victory over Indiana (Pa.) High School.

Holy Ghost Prep has also won PIAA titles in basketball (1974), soccer (1992, 2013, 2014) and tennis (2011), along with two PCIAA state titles in track and field (1971, 1972), and basketball (1972).

Its basketball program last made a PIAA Final Four in 2004, and has made eight final four appearances. The school has won district titles in 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1987, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016.

The cross-country team won 17 consecutive BAL titles from 2001-2017. The soccer team earned 17 consecutive BAL titles from 1989-2005, and eight straight BAL championships from 2010-2017. The track and field team also claimed 23 straight BAL titles from 1995-2017.

Notable alumni include Nolan Jones (Class of 2016), currently an outfielder for the Cleveland Guardians, and Tim Brennan (Class of 2015), a pitcher in the Texas Rangers’ farm system.

Its baseball program has also sent recent alumni to play at Amherst, Coppin State and South Florida, with shortstop Jake Keaser committed to Virginia Tech University in 2026-27.

To date, 41 of HGP’s cross-country and track and field athletes have competed at the collegiate level, among 70 total current or former collegiate athletes who are alumni.