BCR Coach’s Spotlight>Tom McGunnigal (St. Bede Academy)

Name: Tom McGunnigal.

School: Saint Bede Academy.

Family: Amy (wife), Rylee (daughter – current Junior at the Academy).

How many years at your school: Total: 27 years employed (not always working); 24th season as head girls basketball coach.

What sports do you coach: Currently, varsity girls basketball.

Do you teach at the school? If not, what is your profession: Admissions Director at Saint Bede.

What’s the best part of coaching at your school: Hands down, the KIDS! They are the best to coach, to work with/for, to see on a daily basis and interact with.

Why do you coach: A naturally competitive person. I have always loved sports, they were a big part of my growing up – every season, any sport. Now I have found a love of teaching sport and the many tangible lessons that grow through that teaching. I want to impart positive leadership and discipline onto the students I come in contact with, whether they are in the program for four years or one, I hope to impact their view of themselves, their classmates, and the role they can have after basketball.

What have been some of your most memorable moments: Too many. Always begins with the 2000 team that my sister played on and the super-sectional finish, but the regional championship game that year was truly special (my first). I have a photo of me hugging Katie Carls for the last time coming out of the locker room at Mendota after the sectional loss. The 2020 regional championship for that group of girls! All of the girls that come back or stay in touch and hearing how they are doing!

Do you have any other previous coaching positions: Cut my teeth at Dalzell Grade School – junior high boys; one year as freshman boys coach at SBA; one year as sophomore girls coach here; 15 seasons on football staff at SBA.

High school/college you went to: Saint Bede Academy/IVCC/Northeast Missouri State Univ. (now Truman State)/Concordia University – Irvine (CA).

Your playing background: Played basketball and baseball at Saint Bede.