Former ACC coach, AD dies at 57

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A real professional. A great mind. A first-class gentleman. Extremely loyal.

Those are the terms Geneva athletic director Jim Kafer, Waubonsie Valley athletic director Mike Rogowski, Aurora Central Catholic football coach Mike Curry and Minooka principal Bob Williams used to describe Pat Langan.

Langan, 57, passed away in his sleep March 7. His wife, Mary, told Kafer that her husband died "peacefully." He was a special education teacher's assistant at Geneva High School and former business teacher, athletic director and track and football coach at ACC.

He also coached at Yorkville and most recently operated the scoreboards at Geneva track meets and basketball and football games. The funeral took place Thursday at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Aurora.

Kafer first became familiar with Langan when they both were athletic directors in the Suburban Catholic Conference, when Kafer was at St. Edward in the early 1990s.

"He was always really pleasant to deal with," Kafer said. "He was always patient."

Kafer attended the visitation Wednesday and said the last time Langan operated the scoreboard was when the Geneva boys basketball team beat Sycamore in late February for a share of the Western Sun Conference title.

"He was like another AD at these events," Kafer said. "(His death) certainly wasn't expected."

The news was a shock to Williams, who used to coach with Langan at Aurora Central and Yorkville in the 1980s and early '90s. He said he hadn't seen Langan in several years, but had only positive memories of the father of two and grandfather of five.

"He had a tremendous sense of humor," Williams said. "He was a great father and a great role model for kids."

Rogowski first met Langan in the mid-1970s when both were lower level coaches for Aurora Central's football team. Rogowski's wife, Diane, worked with Langan at Geneva, so that's how the two kept in touch.

Rogowski called Langan's death a shock to the athletic community.

"He was an excellent man on and off the field," Rogowski said. "He was always there to lend a helping hand. I can't say enough good things about him."

Curry learned of about Langan's death on Saturday. He said Langan was a great defensive coach and always had a knack for putting the right kids at the right positions.

"It's a sad time," said Curry, who worked with Langan for more than a decade. "He did a great job. Life's not fair, but that's how it goes."