Pat Connaughton Foundation Announces $125,000 Donation to Milwaukee Academy of Science for New #ConnaughtonCourt
MILWAUKEE, WI – The Pat Connaughton Foundation (PCF) is proud to announce a $125,000 donation to the Milwaukee Academy of Science (MAS) to support the replacement of their main gymnasium floor with a brand-new, WIAA-standard, ADA-compliant basketball court. This new #ConnaughtonCourt is part of the foundation’s continued commitment to creating access to athletics for student-athletes in communities across Milwaukee and beyond.
The Pat Connaughton Foundation (PCF) is proud to partner with Milwaukee Academy of Science (MAS) in supporting the replacement of their main gym floor, a vital space for both academic and extracurricular growth. MAS, a K4-12 public charter school serving over 1,700 students, provides a rigorous STEM-focused education to some of Milwaukee’s most underserved communities. With 97% of their students coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and 99% identifying as Black, MAS is a beacon of opportunity, boasting an impressive 100% graduation and college acceptance rate for the last decade.
The gymnasium is central to MAS’s mission, offering a space for physical education, sports programs, professional development, and community engagement. However, the current floor, which dates back to 2005 and was last resurfaced in 2013, has deteriorated over time and is no longer suitable for the wide range of activities hosted by the school. With PCF's support, MAS will replace the gym floor with a high-quality, ADA-compliant surface that meets state competition standards, ensuring the gym remains a safe and accessible resource for both students and the broader community.
"Partnering with the Pat Connaughton Foundation is a transformative moment for our school and community," said Anthony McHenry, CEO of Milwaukee Academy of Science. "This collaboration means more than just a new basketball court – it symbolizes opportunity, teamwork, and our continued commitment to equity. It will serve as a space where our four year olds can have recreation and artistic opportunities; our oldest scholars can craft their skills and build lasting memories; it will be a gathering space for our amazing staff and an opportunity for our community partners to create lasting impact. This gift is truly an investment in the future of our community."
“This partnership is what our mission is all about,” said Devin Grainger, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement at the Pat Connaughton Foundation. “We’re not just resurfacing a gym; we’re helping to build an environment where students can grow academically, physically, and socially. MAS is doing incredible work (including their recent WIAA Boys Basketball State Championship!), and we’re honored to contribute to their continued success.”
The new gym floor will serve approximately 5,000 individuals annually, supporting MAS’s efforts to increase student participation in athletics and after-school programming by 20%. It will also help the school host more events, tournaments, and partnerships—positioning MAS as a key hub for sports, leadership, and youth development in Milwaukee.
By 2025, MAS anticipates welcoming even more community collaborations, additional sports teams, and new opportunities for student-athletes through this facility upgrade. The Pat Connaughton Foundation is proud to help MAS continue empowering the next generation of leaders and athletes in Milwaukee.
About Pat Connaughton Foundation:
The Pat Connaughton Foundation was founded in 2016 with the mission of creating access to athletics for the next generation of student-athletes, through Courts, Clinics, and Character. The PCF focuses on teaching translatable life skills such as hard work, teamwork, leadership, accountability, and discipline. Over the last eight years, the PCF has hosted 28 clinics, completed 20 courts with 18 more underway, and impacted over 66,300 youth student-athletes. For more information, visit www.patconnaughtonfoundation.org.
About Milwaukee Academy of Science:
The Milwaukee Academy of Science is a K4-12 public charter school founded in 2000 with a mission to graduate urban students prepared to compete successfully at the post-secondary level. MAS is committed to academic excellence, STEM-focused learning, and student empowerment. With over 1,700 students and a 100% college acceptance rate for graduating seniors, MAS plays a vital role in advancing equity and educational opportunity in the city of Milwaukee.
Press Contact:
Devin Grainger
Director of Marketing & Community Engagement – Pat Connaughton Foundation
devin@patconnaughton.com