ROCKFORD—The cheers were deafening when the students of Boylan Central Catholic High School learned the school’s weight room was going to be updated, including with new equipment, and that the school’s auxiliary gym would by next fall have “the only indoor turf field in the area,” according to the school president, Amy Ott, at an all-school gathering in the main gym on March 18. 

 

She introduced longtime donor Patrick Bachrodt who with his brother, Lou, made a $1 million donation for those and classroom improvements. Bachrodt then announced that the remodeled space would “forever be known as the Vincent McGuire Performance Center.” 

 

He introduced McGuire, the now retired history teacher, coach, dean of students, assistant principal and principal of Boylan who served at the school for 45 years. The coach came out in McGuire in his remarks when he asked students to shout out the school motto — to be Saints, Scholars, Champions. 

 

“You don’t become saints, scholars or champions,” he said, “unless you (he BANGED the podium) put the work into it!” Rousing cheers and applause again erupted. That enthusiasm carried over into the pep rally that followed.