Coach Berger’s athletic legacy began as a student-athlete at Mishawaka High School in Indiana, where he was a four letter winner in basketball, earning All-Conference Honors in his junior and senior years, as well as a two letter winner in football. As class president, he eagerly embraced his leadership role, cultivating a true love for the high school world of athletics, academics and activities that would lead to an inspiring career in teaching and coaching.Berger graduated from North Central College in 1948 with a dual degree in Biology and Physical Education, marrying his college sweetheart, Louis Stauffer in 1949. He served as Physical Director at the Elkhart, Indiana YMCA for a year. He joined the Naperville Central staff as a science teacher, then physical education teacher, a position he would hold until his retirement in 1985.As a first-year teacher, Berger tackled three seasons, coaching freshman football and serving as the sophomore basketball coach and an assistant track coach. In 1957, he became the head track coach, where he led the Redskins for 15 years. Under his leadership, Berger’s first team placed second in conference; the teams that followed went on to win 13 consecutive conference championships. His teams combined for a dual and triangular meet record of 83 wins, 19 losses and 4 district and county championships, with many state qualifiers and place winners at the state finals.Some of Berger’s most influential work came in cross country, a sport he introduced to the varsity level in 1958. Motivated by Berger’s example and expectations, his teams won 9 consecutive conference championships, retiring 3 conference trophies by winning conference 3 years in a row. His dual meet record over 18 years was 140 wins and 17 losses; during one 5 year period, his runners won 60 straight dual meets. His teams’ state meet performances were equally impressive: his 1966 team placed 2nd, 1970 team placed 4th, 1972 team placed 5th, and 1973 team placed 7th. His 1970 team holds a special place in his memories, as they ran a perfect score of 7 at the renowned Crete Monee Invitational which featured 50 teams, an outstanding team effort by all standards.Berger’s achievements in the classroom, in the athletic arena and the surrounding community earned him several special recognitions. He served 3 years on the Illinois Cross Country Advisory Committee. In 1976, he received the Illinois Interscholastic Association award for “Meritorious and Dedicated Service to Youth.” In 1985, he was inducted into the Illinois Coaches Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame. His commitment to all of his communities prompted him to receive the North Central College Outstanding Alumnus award in 1988 after a four-year tenure as Vice President on the Board of Directors of the Alumni Association at North Central College. Berger was equally dedicated to his Naperville Central family, serving as a two-term president of the Naperville Teachers Association and chairman of the Professional Growth Committee. He was a member of the High School Representative Council, a member of the Faculty Advisory Council and a 5 year member of the district salary negotiating committee. A lifelong learner, Berger earned a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in 1960 and earned a Certificate for Supervision from the state of Illinois in 1967.While Berger’s team achievements brought him much fulfillment, he takes most pride in his family. Lois, a longtime second grade teacher at Highland Elementary School, and Bud raised three children, all alumni of Naperville Central, and are the proud grandparents of seven grandchildren. Coach Berger noted that his favorite memory of Naperville Central is, “The response my teams gave me when challenged to be successful and student body spirit for all sports.” The love of sport that started during his own high school career prompted Berger to cultivate a culture, not only in his own teams but also the entire Naperville Central community, of hard work, passion, and service. His genuine belief in the potential of all of his student-athletes and his commitment to helping each achieve his very best continues to inspire today’s Redhawks, a class that Coach Berger advises to “take advantage of every opportunity you have while in high school to widen and strengthen your experience.”By doing so, those who walk the halls of Naperville Central, now and in the future, can have as rich an experience as those, like Berger, who walked them in the past.