Niki Raschke is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Xavier College Preparatory for AZPreps365.com

When Sister Lynn Winsor was appointed as the athletic director of Xavier College Preparatory in 1977, no one could have predicted the number of state championships, awards and consistent success the all-girls school would achieve. 

Now, 48 years into Sister Lynn’s tenure, Xavier has become a dynasty in Arizona and one of the most accomplished high schools in the country.

However, Xavier's transformation into an athletic powerhouse did not happen overnight. The athletic department and overall school infrastructure have continuously developed since the turn of the millennium. 

Before the existence of Winsor Way and the beautiful sports facilities Xavier has today, the school relied on outside resources and venues. 

Golf has always been played and practiced off campus, and with a national record of 39 state championships, Xavier’s golf program has never had an issue with being away from home. 

The softball team, however, had to drive nearly eight miles to the Rose Mofford Sports Complex. Other programs like soccer and lacrosse also had to book practices at off-campus locations. For games, it was wherever the school could find a field.

In 2002, the school finally began expanding beyond its original infrastructure. First, it added three new buildings, including classrooms and the Virginia G. Piper Performing Arts Center. Then, in 2011, it bought 21 homes south of campus, equating to roughly 280,000 square feet of land. 

Xavier used the land to build the 77,000-square-foot Founders' Hall and a multipurpose turf field in 2012. 

“We needed to add more, not just athletic facilities, but classrooms,” Xavier’s Athletics and Activities Correspondence Director Ronna Layne said. “We also wanted to add our own multipurpose turf field for softball, lacrosse, and soccer.”

Acquiring the real estate between Xavier’s campus and the Grand Canal took years. In 2015, the school cleared three more houses and built beach volleyball courts. The marquee attraction on campus, the Xavier Activity Center, was also renovated with a second floor that included dance, spin, yoga and weight rooms. 

“Having access to weight rooms and things that can help players develop is a benefit to your program,” Xavier girls basketball coach Jennifer Gillom said. “This school takes pride in all of its sports programs, and the facility upgrade has benefitted us. I don’t know if we would ever be able to win a state championship had they not upgraded.”

Xavier Preparatory Academy’s facilities have grown exponentially in the last decade, and the school has ensured financial security through all of its projects. Each project has a building committee of students, parents, and Xavier faculty members. 

A million-dollar loan funded the turf field and Founders’ Hall project. Yet, within a couple of years, Xavier president Sister Joan Fitzgerald and parent groups were able to pay off the project with fundraisers.

“The people that we work with, they’re visionaries,” Ronna Layne said. “Everyone on a committee knows people; we can accomplish any project.”

While Xavier maintains around 1,200 students and faculty, the athletic department has recently introduced new programs to increase student participation.

Since the 2011 renovations, lacrosse, flag football, beach volleyball, and archery/shooting have all been introduced, and athletic director Sister Lynn Winsor has vowed to add any new AIA sport. 

“We have activities, clubs, everything that it takes to build a community,” Winsor said.

The transformation of Xavier College Preparatory’s athletic department is a testament to the power of investment, dedication, and community support. As the school looks to the future, hoping to add to its 160-plus state titles, the commitment to student-athletes is at the forefront of Xavier’s mission.