As a devout Catholic, Paul Segobiano ‘51 bestows blessings of service into the Bloomington-Normal community and beyond while instilling a Christ-centered foundation into his family that spans four generations of Saints. Between a strict upbringing emphasizing values through Catholic education and the strong influence of his father’s Mexican roots, Paul grew into a compassionate leader with a knack for facing challenges head-on.
Numerous organizations have benefitted from his courageous character and leadership. His most recent position as the Director of Development for the Great Plains Life Foundation’s “Stay 4” Project. “Stay 4” advocates for at-risk teens throughout Central Illinois to complete their high school education. It aligns with his history of providing opportunities and bettering individuals in our community ever since he founded the Bloomington Knockers Youth Football and Cheer program in 1957.
His gratitude for his own opportunities propels him to be involved and give back. “If I was helped somewhere along the way, I think it is my responsibility to put a hand on someone else's back and help them out,” Paul said. “It's always been my drive to make sure my kids are accepted, all kids are accepted, regardless of race, color, or creed.”
The number of hours Paul has spent advancing the McLean County area is astronomical and reaches many subcommunities. He was elected and holds a 45-year record for the State of Illinois’ longest-serving county board member. He chaired numerous mayoral campaigns, served for seven years on the McLean County Regional Planning Commission, and was the President of Illinois State University’s Civil Service Council for a couple of years. He continues to serve the community as a member of the Knights of Columbus.
A supporter of the underdog, Paul has always had a heart to advance underdeveloped areas. Much of his focus involved the west side of Bloomington. He played a huge role in advancing building additions at his beloved St. Mary’s Parish and School.
Paul credits the halls of Trinity High School for shaping his values and the clergy there for helping instill lessons on discipline and respect. He learned and practiced leadership through multiple extracurricular activities. In addition to his success as a four-sport athlete, including captain of the football team, he played the lead role in the senior class play and was the president of the monogram club. He has great memories of Trinity, but his fondest is meeting Barbara (Thompson) Segobiano ‘51 in homeroom at Trinity High School as she would become his love for life. When Paul returned from the Korean War, he bought a ring to make his classmate his bride for the next 65 years.
Football, in particular, continued to play an integral role in the Segobiano family's lives beyond high school. The same skills needed to win a game Paul utilizes in various plays throughout his life such as constantly strategizing to better the community, using strength to stand up for what is right while pushing to get work done, and persevering while having fun. He is an individual who lives life fully and through Christ. Beyond himself, he has extended the go-getter energy to five children who all attended Central Catholic, Paula Weiland ‘73, Mark ‘75, Michael ‘76, Matt ‘78, and Pamela Highland ‘79. Mark and grandson Brian ‘02 continue to lead the Bloomington Knockers program, which grew from 15 kids when it was first created to 200 kids this year.
Paul is the recipient of the John R. Snyder Saintly Service Award, an honor he accepted as a cherished gift following the Central Catholic Alumni Achievement Award in 1999. While he does not consider himself to be of Snyder’s caliber, he admitted his dear friend ”The Dean” and he share a way of thinking. “Snyder is the epitome of love and concern for Central Catholic, and he deserves respect for giving his life to the school and students,” he said. When presented with the award, Paul selflessly asked to accept it on the behalf of his wife who he said he loves, misses, and believes gave him the opportunity to do the things he wanted to do.
Together with Barbara, the Segobiano family has 224 years of combined Catholic education. The number is not predicted to cease as the Segobiano family tree grows with more great-grandkids now entering parochial school. Paul concluded, “Giving children a Catholic education, a small school in a strict environment, gives them an opportunity to prepare for life. There is a financial obligation, and it is worth every penny of it. The car wears out, the house gets old, but education lasts forever.”