District 87 set to honor late BHS swim coach

Posted on December 10, 2020
Bob Loy died October 29. (Photo courtesy: Heart of Illinois ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – District 87 administrators believe they’ve come up with a way to forever remember a beloved Bloomington High School coach who died earlier this fall.

School board members heard a presentation Wednesday night encouraging them to name the school’s swimming pool the Bob Loy Natatorium to honor the coach who led the school’s swimming team for 40 years.

In a memo to the school board, the athletic department said, “Coach Loy had the rare ability to challenge and push athletes to new levels of ability while also making it a fun and memorable experience.”

During his tenure, Loy coached more than 120 students to All-State honors. He was an All-American swimmer at Illinois State University. He graduated from ISU in 1977. Loy was also an instructor and coach at community-based swim clubs, and served as a mentor to many teachers, administrators said.

The school board is expected to take final action on naming the pool at its January 13 meeting.

Bob Loy died October 29. He was 65-years old.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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