Remembering Coach Bob McBride

Shaker Heights has lost an ice hockey legend.

Robert “Bob” McBride, co-head coach of the first modern-day Shaker High School hockey team, passed away on May 17, 2025, at age 83. While he’s gone in flesh and blood, McBride’s legacy lives forever in the hearts and minds of everyone connected to the Red Raiders team from its inception in 1970-71 through the end of Bob’s coaching career at the conclusion of the 1975-76 season.

McBride and his head coaching cohort Jim Weiss—another Shaker hockey legend—amassed a 119-29-4 record and impressive .783 winning percentage in their six-year tenure. That twosome led the team to state championships in 1970-71 (the team’s inaugural season), 1971-72, and 1973-74. They captured the first-ever Baron Cup city championship in 1971-72, and won the inaugural Thornton Park Holiday Tournament in 1972-73.

As great as McBride’s competitive ice achievements are, they don’t begin to touch the platitudes of the impact he had on the lives of the young men he coached. Shortly after McBride’s death, an avalanche of messages emerged from his former players and team stakeholders extolling Bob’s virtues.

Capturing the essence of their comments was this gem from team faculty advisor and former Shaker Heights High School teacher Jerry Graham: 

“We measure  our lives in the degree of positive impact we have had upon the lives of others.  By that standard, Bob’s was a life well lived.” Indeed!

Graham served with McBride and Weiss during those illustrious years, beginning in 1971-72.

With his unmistakable New England accent and no-nonsense gruffness, McBride had his way of getting across coaching and disciplinary points that inspired the very best from his athletes and earned their unmitigated respect.

Jim Weiss expressed it all the best. “We're all a bit richer for having touched Bob during those magical years...”

Amen

Bob McBride was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on July 20, 1941, and graduated from Belmont High School in 1959. He attended West Point for one year on a football scholarship before transferring to Colby College Maine to play collegiate hockey. He moved to Cleveland in March 1969.

McBride’s sister “Sis” and brothers—Jim, Tom, and John—are deceased. His beloved wife, Sue, passed on April 8, 2024. He is survived by his brother, Steve, and children, Michael, Shea, and Robbie.