Soccer legend McBride is BGHS distinguished alumni

Brian McBride, soccer legend and one of the most distinguished Buffalo Grove High School graduates in the nearly 40-year history of the school, will be honored as this year’s Distinguished Alumni on Tuesday, April 26, at the school’s annual Spotlight Assembly.

Assistant Principal for Student Activities Mark Schaetzlein recently received confirmation that McBride, a 1990 BGHS graduate, will be able to attend the Spotlight Assembly, which recognizes the 2010-11 school year accomplishments of individuals and teams in athletics, academics, and fine and performing arts.

McBride will be introduced to the student body, presented with a plaque, and honored as the 2010-11 Distinguished Alumni recipient. The Distinguished Alumni Program recognizes outstanding graduates of at least 10 years and their contributions to the school, the community, and society as a whole.

The program further demonstrates to current students the importance of setting high educational, personal best, and career goals.

McBride played four outstanding years of varsity soccer and tennis at Buffalo Grove. He graduated from St. Louis University with a degree in secondary education. He then played soccer in Germany before being drafted by Major League Soccer and playing for the Columbus Crew.

His next venture would be playing in two Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cups, becoming the first American to score at least one goal in back-to-back World Cups.

Following a stint in England with the Fulham Football Club of the English Premier league, he played his third and final World Cup in 2006.

McBride moved back to Arlington Heights to sign with the Chicago Fire in 2008, the same year he captained the U.S. Olympic team in Beijing. At the end of the 2010 season with the Chicago Fire, McBride officially retired from professional soccer and is considered one of this country’s best strikers on record.

McBride and his family will be honored at a morning reception attended by staff and community well wishers. The Spotlight Assembly will be held at about 9 a.m. in the gymnasium, where McBride will share the spotlight with current student achievers.

Following the assembly, McBride will preside over a student question-and-answer presentation in the school theater where he will discuss his journey as one of the most accomplished soccer players in U.S. history. All members of this year’s BGHS boys and girls soccer program are invited to participate in this session.

Beyond serving as an inspiring role model to BGHS students, McBride has shared his time speaking to athletes, serving as a mentor to the school’s soccer teams, and financially supporting the soccer programs by providing new uniforms and equipment.