By Michael F. Flach
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 1/29/04)

ARLINGTON — Can you imagine Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School beginning a new academic year without Principal Al Burch? That hasn’t happened since 1960. But it will happen in the fall of 2004.

The 68-year-old Burch has been principal of the Arlington school since 1977 and affiliated with it as a coach and teacher since 1961. He announced his retirement Jan. 21 to O’Connell’s faculty and students. O’Connell is celebrating its 47^th anniversary this year and Burch has been affiliated with the school for 43 of those years.

"Like a marriage, you know when the time is right," Burch said when asked why he decided to retire now. "This is the right time. The school is in good shape. Enrollment will be right up there (over 1,400) next year.

"There’s still a lot to be done," he added. "I would like to come back (next year) on my own time to do some things with the alumni and development. We’ve identified areas that need to be addressed."

"Al Burch has served faithfully and effectively as principal of Bishop O'Connell High School these past 27 years," said Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde.

"His genuine interest in each student and his abiding love for the high school community are well known throughout this diocese. After these many years of loyal and generous service, Al certainly deserves a less hectic schedule and more time with family and friends. Along with our entire diocesan family, I wish Al good health and abundant blessings in his retirement. Al may not be visibly present every day, but his dedication and loyalty will remain ever present at Bishop O'Connell High School," the bishop said.

“The leadership Al Burch has provided Bishop O'Connell High School during his 27 years as the school principal epitomizes the uniqueness required of those individuals who are given the task of ensuring our schools are institutions of academic success and spiritual formation for students,” said Dr. Timothy J. McNiff, superintendent of schools. “With a diverse school community whose enrollment has significantly grown during his tenure as principal, his warm and caring presence has enabled Bishop O'Connell to be a wonderful school environment for his students."

In reflecting on his years at O’Connell, Burch said, "I try to hire the best people, the most qualified people. I’ve been blessed to have good people. I’m proud of the fact that we’ve had so many religious vocations."

O’Connell's faculty (115 teachers) includes 11 Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 26 graduates and 18 retired military.

Burch is a native Washingtonian who did not plan on becoming a high school principal following his graduation from Texas A & M University in 1959. His first love was coaching. He took a teaching position at a junior high school in Maryland until a coaching position opened up at O’Connell in 1961. His distinguished coaching career includes a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. With the help of Jake Jacobs, he guided O’Connell’s varsity baseball team to a record-breaking 42-game winning streak during the 1963-65 seasons.

Burch was a three-sport star at St. John’s College High School in Washington and was inducted into the O’Connell Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. He was named a "Principal of Excellence" by The Washington Post in 1997.

"I never envisioned being principal," Burch told the HERALD in an earlier interview. "I never envisioned being vice principal. I was at O’Connell and I was happy being a coach. I think I would still be happy being a coach."

He credits the late Msgr. James W. McMurtrie with encouraging him to become a school administrator. Msgr. McMurtrie appointed Burch vice principal in 1972 and pushed him to earn his master’s degree in education from American University in 1975. Burch succeeded Msgr. McMurtrie as principal in 1977.

Burch considers O’Connell a family. "We’re a Christ-centered school and we care about other people," he said. "I think the true message of a Catholic school is practiced here because people go out of their way to extend a helping hand to others."

It’s been a tough year for the O’Connell family. Last summer the school lost Jacobs, its longtime legendary baseball coach. Then its former principal, Msgr. McMurtrie, died suddenly in October. The boy’s junior varsity soccer coach Luis-Carlos Sossa died in early January.

This "family" atmosphere is exemplified by the school’s annual "Superdance," a 12-hour dance marathon started in 1976 in honor of the O’Donnell children who died from Cystic Fibrosis. The "Superdance" is now the largest high school fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis research in the nation. The final "Superdance" under Burch’s leadership will take place March 13. The school’s third annual gala, which this year honors the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Pentagon City.

Under Burch’s leadership, O’Connell was one of 260 secondary schools nationwide honored in 1993 by the U.S. Department of Education with the "Blue Ribbon" designation. The award recognizes excellence in six areas: leadership, teacher growth, core curriculum and instruction, school atmosphere, parent and community support and documented success.

"There’s not a day I dread coming into this school because I know I can help people," Burch said. "We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ve made an impact. We have an opportunity to influence an awful lot of young people. There is no greater satisfaction.

"I’ve been thrilled to be around these kids," he said. "I’m very proud of their pride and character. It’s made me a better man."