SUMMARY

Roots for Catholic Youth & Young Adult Sports in the Diocese of Wilmington

In the fall of 1901, the first parish-affiliated football program was fielded at St. Ann's Parish on Union Street. Known as the St. Ann's Juniors, the team comprised of catholic youth participants under the age of 10-years old.

In September of 1908, St. Elizabeth's Junior Football team formed, comprising of youth under the age of 13, challenged teams throughout the city of Wilmington.

In April of 1909, the adult athletic associations from St. Elizabeth's, St. Mary's, St. Patrick's, St. Paul's and St. Peter's formed together to create a competitive sports league in Delaware, known as the Catholic Baseball League.

In October of 1921, the Catholic Indoor Sport's League organized by St. Ann's, St. Patrick's and others. Sports included pool and checkers.

In November of 1927, representatives of St. Paul's, St. Anthony's, St. Hedwig's, Pioneers, Brownson, and the Knights of Columbus created the first Wilmington Catholic Basketball League. Representatives of this league would move forward to expand the leagues to incorporate bowling and softball, eventually organizing the first office for Catholic Youth Sports in Delaware, the Catholic Athletic Council.

Organized Sports Office Forms for Diocese of Wilmington

In the spring of 1938, the first Catholic Parochial Track & Field Championships were held.

Catholic Athletic Council Evolves into Catholic Youth Organization

On January 2nd 1940, the Catholic Youth Organization took over all activities of the former Catholic Athletic Council.

In Spring of 1946, the three competing circuits of CYO, Parochial and Parish Baseball leagues merged to form under one unified league with the Diocese of Wilmington.

In the fall of 1953, the first CYO Parochial Football League formed consisting of St. Ann, St Elizabeth, St. Helena's, and St. Peters.

In July of 1993, the Catholic Youth Organization establishes annual golf tournament, benefitting youth activities for CYO in the Diocese of Wilmington. (This tournament was rebranded and continues today as the annual Joseph A. McNesby Jr. Golf Outing) 

CYO Wilmington Rebrands into Catholic Youth Ministry, Sports

In October of 2000, CYO Wilmington officially changed its name to Catholic Youth Ministry.

In 2017, the longest tenured Sports Director for the Diocese of Wilmington, Joseph McNesby, announced his retirement after 28 years of coordinating parish sports for young athletes.

In the spring of 2020, the CYM Sports program was shut down due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

In the spring of 2022, Boys' Volleyball was added to the CYM Sports.

In the summer of 2025, the office announced dissolving co-ed soccer, and reforming boys' soccer for fall and girls' soccer in spring for the 2026-2027 program year.

PREVIOUS SPORTS LEADERS AT THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON