Longtime Glenbrook North Coach, Teacher Mark Rebora Dies

NORTHBROOK, IL — Longtime Glenbrook North High School teacher and coach Mark Rebora died suddenly Sunday. Rebora suffered a fatal heart attack while riding his bike Sunday afternoon, according to Principal John Finan, who described him as "an amazing teacher, coach and mentor who was very close to many of our students and staff."

Rebora taught physical education and coached several sports during his more than 25 years with Glenbrook North, including 21 years as head coach of the wrestling team.

The 57-year-old Glen Ellyn resident was most recently the assistant football coach and head coach of the boys water polo team at GBN.

"He was a strong fitness advocate and an extremely positive influence within in the P.E. and athletic departments. Not only did he preach about the importance of fitness, he lived it each day by working out with his students," Finan said.

Rebora said he first picked up wrestling in high school and eventually made it to the United States national wrestling team and a third place finish at Olympic trials, according to a 2012 profile in GBN's student newspaper.

He played football and wrestled for Loyola Academy, where he graduated in 1978 and was inducted into the school hall of fame in 2003. He continued wrestling at Cornell College in Iowa and began his coaching career at Gordon Tech and Loyola, according to online biographies.

Rebora started at GBN in 1992 as a physical education teacher and coached three sports and hundreds of athletes during his time at the school. In addition to coaching wrestling from 1992 to 2013, he was head coach of the sophomore football team until 1997, at which point he took over the freshman team until 2004 and became assistant coach of the varsity team in 2014. He also coached girls water polo from 1999 to 2002 and has been coach of the boys team since 2002.

Many current and former students and parents shared fond memories of Rebora on social media following the news of his passing.

They described Coach Rebora as "without a doubt the greatest gym teacher," "[g]reat football coach and wonderful role model," "a leader and a role model," whose every word "always felt so inspiring."

Finan said students would be notified at school Monday and counselors and additional staff would be available for students seeking support.

"Mr. Rebora worked tirelessly to help all students and athletes reach their personal goals. His passing is a tragic loss to our school," Finan said.

"He will be deeply missed and long remembered by the GBN community."