“When I think about who helped shape the man I’ve become, Mr. Ceglarski is right at the top of that list.”
A Coach Who Was So Much More Than That
Some teachers check the boxes and call it a day. Some coaches show up, run practice, and leave.
But then there’s Mr. Ceglarski — a man who went so far beyond the job description, it’s almost laughable to call him just a coach or just a teacher.
He wasn’t either. He was something more. He was everything.
Back in eighth grade, most of the guys I played hockey with were heading to the Belmont Hill School. That was the path I thought I’d be on too—until I met Mr. Ceglarski.
I didn’t just meet Mr. Ceglarski at The Governor’s Academy — he brought me there. He opened the door, saw something in me I couldn’t see yet, and gave me the kind of chance that changes a kid’s entire trajectory. From the first moment, he made me feel like I belonged — even when I didn’t quite believe it myself.
My First Goal — and His Classic Welcome
Opening game of the season. Philips Andover Academy. The puck popped out right in front of the net and instinct took over — I slammed it home and threw my arms up to celebrate.
And then boom — their defenseman absolutely leveled me. I mean buried me.
I stumbled back to the bench, half-smiling, half-stunned. Mr. Ceglarski just looked at me with that signature smirk and said, “Welcome to the ISL, kid.”
That moment? It was everything. Hilarious, humbling, and oddly encouraging. He wasn’t just acknowledging the hit — he was acknowledging me. I had arrived. I was one of Mr. Ceglarski’s guys.
More Than Just a Bench Boss
Mr. Ceglarski wasn’t just a presence at the rink — he was everywhere. Always watching, always guiding, always checking in. He didn’t just coach skill; he nurtured character. He didn’t want you to just win games — he wanted you to grow into someone who could win in life.
He pushed us, no doubt. He held us accountable, expected effort, and never let you coast. But it was never about ego or control. It was about belief. Mr. Ceglarski believed in his students and players so deeply that you couldn’t help but start believing in yourself too.
The Man Who Showed Up Off the Ice
Off the ice and outside the classroom, he showed up just as hard.
As a dorm parent, Mr. Ceglarski had this way of making the dorm feel less like a building and more like home. He was the kind of guy who noticed when your shoulders were slumped or your energy was off. Mr. Ceglarski would pull you aside and ask what was going on — not because it was in the rulebook, but because he cared. That presence? That kind of genuine human connection? You don’t forget it. Not ever.
He made me feel like I wasn’t just a student or a number on a roster — I was his guy. And when someone like Mr. Ceglarski believes in you like that… it rewires something deep inside.
The Teacher Who Made History Matter
While many knew him for his work on the ice, Mr. Ceglarski’s classroom was where I saw a whole other layer of greatness.
Mr. Ceglarski brought history to life — not just with facts and timelines, but with storytelling, passion, and jokes that made the material stick. He challenged us to think, to care, and to contribute. He made it impossible to stay invisible. Mr. Ceglarski made you want to show up.
And just like at practice, he knew how to lighten the mood. A quick jab here, a perfectly timed line there — suddenly, even the Revolutionary War was kind of fun. He just got it. Mr. Ceglarski knew how to make things matter without taking things too seriously. The balance was effortless.
He Saw Me When I Didn’t See Myself
There were days when I felt like I didn’t belong. Days when the weight of school, life, expectations — it all felt like too much. And somehow, on those exact days, Mr. Ceglarski would appear with a joke, a shoulder squeeze, or just that look that said, “You’re good. I got you.”
And that’s the part that really stuck with me.
Yes, he made me a better athlete. Yes, he made me a better student. But more than anything — Mr. Ceglarski made me feel seen. He made me feel like I mattered.
His Legacy? Still in Motion Today
What blows my mind? Mr. Ceglarski is still there.
Still teaching. Still coaching. Still living in the dorms. Still showing up for kid after kid, year after year, with the same heart and fire that made all of us believe we were part of something bigger.
There’s no burnout. No phoning it in. Mr. Ceglarski is the real deal. And if you talk to anyone who’s crossed paths with him, you’ll hear the same thing: “He changed my life.” “He was there when it counted.” “He made me feel like family.”
Humor, Timing, and That Mr. Ceglarski Laugh
Everyone who’s ever learned from or lived under Mr. Ceglarski knows that laugh. The one that came right after he zinged you with some brutally accurate one-liner. He never needed to raise his voice — just raise an eyebrow and drop a killer line that cut through tension like a skate on fresh ice.
His humor wasn’t just a coping tool — it was a connection tool. Mr. Ceglarski used it to bring us together. To help us shake off the nerves. To remind us that, even when the stakes felt high, this game was supposed to be fun.
A Personal Thank You That’s Long Overdue
To the guy who gave me a chance… To the guy who helped me become a man… To the guy who made history class hilarious, practice worth it, and every hard day feel a little easier…
Thank You, Mr. Ceglarski
Thank you for seeing something in me when I couldn’t. Thank you for bringing me into The Governor’s Academy and changing the entire course of my life. Thank you for pushing me past my limits, and then showing me I had more left in the tank. Thank you for every joke, every pat on the back, every quiet moment of support that nobody else saw. Thank you for making me feel like I belonged — not just on your team, but in your world.
You weren’t just my favorite teacher. You weren’t just my favorite coach. You were one of the best people I’ve ever known.
Thank you, Mr. Ceglarski. You’re a legend — and not just because of what you did, but because of who you are.
If Coach Ceglarski made an impact on your life too, drop your story in the comments. Let’s give him the flowers he’s earned. Or if there’s a coach who meant a lot to you, let us know in the comments or submit a Legend nomination — we want to tell their story too.
