February 1, 2003

 

Longtime Centre coach recognized at banquet

 

DANVILLE, KY—Centre College coach Herb McGuire was recognized for his contributions to the College at a black-tie dinner held in Louisville on Jan. 31 for Centre trustees and major donors, along with other friends of the College.

 

McGuire, a 1957 graduate, will be retiring as coach and faculty member at the end of the academic year.

 

He is the only athletic coach on the faculty at Centre. McGuire is an associate professor of physical education and the head coach for men's golf.

 

McGuire has been a part of the Centre staff since 1963. In his 40 years at the College, McGuire has coached football, track, golf and baseball and served as the director of intramurals.

 

McGuire was responsible for several firsts at Centre and in Kentucky. He started the cross country and women's golf programs at Centre, was the first full-time women's track coach, and he organized the first small-college golf tournament for women in the state.

 

When McGuire was head football coach from 1972-1979, he organized the first parent's weekend for football players. Parent's weekend is now a campus-wide event.

 

"Herb McGuire has been an outstanding teacher and coach who has done quality work for Centre College," said John Roush, president of Centre. "For 40 years he has helped students expand their minds and taught them how to care for their bodies. We're grateful for his enormous contributions and loyalty to Centre and its students."

 

McGuire has played golf since childhood and has served as the President of the Kentucky Golf Association, helping to promote the sport in Central Kentucky.

 

McGuire annually directs Centre's Praying Colonels Invitational Tournament, which helps raise money for Centre athletics, at the Danville Country Club.

 

The starting quarterback for Centre in 1953 and 1956, McGuire played on Centre's undefeated 1955 team (the last Centre football team with an unblemished record). He also played golf and ran track for the college and was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

 

McGuire holds a bachelor's degree in math from Centre College, a master's degree in math from Southern Illinois University, and an education specialist degree in physical education from Eastern Kentucky University.