- Pine-Richland Athletics
- Pine-Richland School Athletics
Mural Dedicated to Meghan Klingenberg
On Wednesday, September 28, Pine-Richland School District unveiled a mural dedicated to Meghan Klingenberg in the Spirit Room at Pine-Richland Stadium.
Meghan Klingenberg is a 2007 Pine-Richland High School graduate who captained the girls’ soccer team and helped lead the team to the PIAA State Championship in 2005 and 2006. She was named to the Pennsylvania All-State Soccer Team and was selected as a Parade All-American. Ms. Klingenberg attended the University of North Carolina where she was a four-year starter and was selected first-team All ACC. She represented the United States as a member of the Women’s National Soccer team and won the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and represented the United States as a member of the U.S. National Olympic Team. She currently plays professional soccer for the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League and resides in Portland, Oregon.
“We’re excited and honored to share this moment with Meghan and her family, as well as with the current players and coaches in attendance,” said Joe Gironda, Director of Athletics. “If ever there was an individual worthy of receiving this distinction, it’s Meghan. Her impact upon Pine-Richland athletics was significant. Her hard work, dedication and desire to be the best in all she has done and continues to do serves as motivation to the young players who aspire to follow in her footsteps.”
Painted by Mike Sullivan, the mural is part of a Pittsburgh Legends Mural Series created by the Legacy Arts Foundation that features life-size permanent murals of prominent sports figures from the Pittsburgh area. The series’ initial honorees included Jimbo Covert at Freedom High School and Joe Namath at Beaver Falls High School.
“The mural will serve as an example and inspiration to past, current and future students, as well as parents and visitors to Pine-Richland High School,” said Rachelle Dixon, Pine-Richland girls’ head soccer coach.
Upon unveiling, Ms. Klingenberg said, “This brings me so much joy. As a kid you never imagine the possibilities of living out your wildest dreams. I’m in awe of the consequences of having so much fun.” Ms. Klingenberg expressed gratitude to Pine-Richland for the sports program that taught her about resilience and teamwork and for celebrating a female athlete.
Soccer players from both Pine-Richland and North Allegheny’s girls’ teams were in attendance, and Ms. Klingenberg acknowledged them in her speech: “To the young people in the room, my great hope is that this mural is a reminder of what is possible when you chase your dreams. Be curious, explore and figure out your why. And when you do it, I hope that you measure success not by wins and losses, but by the amount of joy in your life.”
Painter Mike Sullivan has created murals for athletes including Aaron Donald, Jackie Robinson, Maria Sharapova, Pat Tillman, Roger Federer and Steve Young, and for colleges including the University of Notre Dame and the University of Southern California.