Catholic coaches await archdiocese announcement

The rumors about which Catholic high schools are on the chopping block have been swirling for some time.

As a result, wherever Brian Fluck and Jack Techtmann go, they are asked about the respective futures of West Catholic and Conwell-Egan.

"This has been the elephant in the room at Conwell-Egan for two years," said Techtmann, the school's football coach. "To be honest with you, we're looking for this thing to be resolved one way or another."

Said Fluck, West's athletic director and football coach: "I've heard between 10 to 12 rumors. Half the time, West is among the schools being closed. Half the time, West is among the surviving schools."

Friday, at about 10 a.m., a blue-ribbon commission on the future of Catholic schools in the five-county region is expected to present its recommendations to administrators of parish elementary schools and high schools.

Rumor has it that West Catholic, Conwell-Egan, and Bishop McDevitt are high on the list of possible high schools to be closed in June.

Other schools that have been mentioned as possibly having to shut their doors are, in no particular order, Monsignor Bonner/Archbishop Prendergast, John W. Hallahan, and St. Hubert.

"You hear this, you hear that," Fluck said. "But nothing is concrete until the announcement is made [Friday]. You have to pray for the best."

Techtmann is in his second stint as Conwell-Egan's coach. He was at the helm in 1993, when, as part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's reorganization of the school system, Bishop Conwell for Girls, in Tullytown, and Bishop Egan for Boys, in Fairless Hills, merged.

Conwell-Egan's president, Janet Dollard, and principal, Dr. Kathleen Herpich, recently came on board. Ray O'Hara is a few months into his job as athletic director.

"That's generated a lot of enthusiasm with the alumni," said Techtmann, a 1972 Bishop Egan graduate.

"A lot of good things are happening in Catholic schools in Lower Bucks County," he added. "The administrators have presented their case to the commission. Now it's up to the archdiocese to decide."

Techtmann's wife, Denise, graduated from Bishop Conwell. The couple's three daughters - Nicole, Colleen, and Lauren - are Conwell-Egan products.

"They had great experiences, went on to college from there," Jack Techtmann said.

Their son, Kyle, is a junior at the school. He plays quarterback and free safety in football. If Conwell-Egan closes, Neshaminy, a public high school in Langhorne, would be one option.

"We're expecting good news [Friday], but we've talked about where Kyle might have to spend his senior year," Jack Techtmann said.

A 1988 graduate of West Catholic, located at 45th and Chestnut Streets in University City, Fluck began working as the school's admissions director in 1999. "It's been a big part of my life, for sure," he said. "It runs through my veins."

Fluck, athletic director for the last five years, said a school assembly is scheduled for about noon Friday. Administrators then will relay to students the decision on West's future.

In 13 seasons with the Burrs, Fluck has compiled a 119-53 record (.692 winning percentage) and won six Catholic League titles. The squad won the PIAA Class AA state championship in 2010.

Seven of Fluck's football assistants are West Catholic graduates: his brother Dennis, Albie Crosby, Brian Weathers, Frank "Pops" McNally, Eric Rutherford, David Fitzgerald, and Virgil Sheppard.

Well-known West Catholic products include Herb Magee, Jimmy Lynam, Jim Boyle, Francis "Reds" Bagnell, Ernie Beck, and Michael Brooks.