By Alex Cichowicz ‘23

For 32 years and counting, we have had an incredible teacher here at Brother Rice. Brother Patrick Hayes is an outstanding physics teacher and, overall, an inspiration to the young men he teaches each day. He is known for his intricate labs and the physics trips for the students that he chaperones.

Every January during Christmas break, Br. Hayes takes a couple of his students to the Wright Patterson Air Force Base to observe almost every aircraft in existence. They also take a trip down to Florida in the summer to see the Kennedy Space Center and possibly even witness a rocket take off.

Br. Hayes was always interested in becoming a teacher and loved the profession of the Christian Brothers. His main inspiration was one of his high school teachers. Although he really enjoys physics and makes it interesting for his students, he also has taught chemistry and mathematics.

“Bro” has also coached track and cross country for ten years at some of his previous teaching jobs. Those schools include St. Laurence, Brother Rice in Michigan, and St. Patrick’s in Vallejo, Calif

At Brother Rice, Br. Hayes admires so many teachers. Some of them are Mr. Antos, Coach Klutcharch, Coach Gleeson, and Mr. Alberts. All of these teachers and more have built him up to the great inspirational teacher that he is.

His favorite memories at Rice will forever be watching his students learn on physics trips and seeing the BR basketball team grow throughout the years.

Brother Rice will always have a special place in Br. Hayes’s heart, and he will continue to make great memories and inspire young men to not only to become physicists, but also just to pursue what they love to do in life.