George W. “Bill” Rodan was born and raised in Amesbury, MA.  He graduated from Amesbury High School.  In 1956, he received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Hampshire, and later he would earn a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Northeastern University.

Bill’s career in education actually began at Georgetown High School in 1956.  In 1959 he accepted a teaching position in Lynnfield that would prove to define his life and his legacy. During his thirty-two years in Lynnfield, Bill gained huge popularity with his students while teaching a variety of social studies classes, more often than not mixing humor into the topic of discussion. His favorite subject was, and still is, United States History.

“Coach” Rodan held assistant positions in track and football during his early days in Lynnfield, eventually earning the head coaching job in both sports.  Later in his career, he would serve as head coach of the LHS girls track team.  Bill also held the position of Recreation Director for the playgrounds of Lynnfield for many summers.

Over the years as Head Coach, Bill Rodan’s teams had great success, winning several championships in football and in track.  As head football coach for seventeen years, his teams had fifteen winning seasons– a true measure of Bill’s coaching talents.  Winning football games, however, was not all that Bill was about.  He was, after all, a teacher, and he treated everyone with respect and never compared players or teams.  In his eyes, all his players were important, regardless of talent level.  Bill's philosophy was that, if his players were well instructed and taught how to play as a team, in the long run winning would happen.  His exceptional motivating and teaching skills stood out, made their mark, and have had a profound influence on scores of successful students’ careers. 

Needless to say, the recipients of the Bill and Pat Rodan Scholarship Grant will fit a profile that is the embodiment of Bill’s work ethic, values, and character.  Charismatic yet self-effacing and modest almost to a fault, Bill Rodan has earned lasting respect and loyalty from his students and fellow teachers.  He is quick to explain that his teams’ successes and winning records have had everything to do with the wonderful coaches he worked with and the students he had.

But in the end what defines “Coach” Bill Rodan’s success is his positive “don’t give up” attitude, his dedication to his students and peers and his love for his chosen career - the traits that characterize his legacy and persona as a Lynnfield Icon.

Bill and his wife of 49 years, Pat, have two children, Mark and Laurie, and two grandchildren.  The Rodans continue to enjoy their retirement home in New Hampshire.  They very much look forward to reuniting with former students and colleagues and to renewing many old friendships at Juke Box Saturday Night ’06.