When the 1999 State Championship team comes up in discussion, Ryan Clifford can’t contain his smile. A definitive member of the first Naperville Central football team to take home the state title, Clifford has a genuine fondness for the members – and story – of that team. His experiences as an athlete and the memories of his teams’ special dynamics positioned him as a powerful mentor for the 2011 DuPage Valley Conference DuPage Player of the Year, Matt Randolph, who noted in CSNchicago.com article “Past, Present Stars Bond at Naperville Central,” that Clifford, “talks a lot about how we resemble a team that can do well in the playoff. He tells us about having a winning attitude, about being confident in ourselves and knowing we can do it and accomplish it. I felt we didn't have enough confidence last year. But we have bonded this year and have a lot more confidence. He also has helped me on where to look for holes and how to put the ball in my outside hand when running so I can use the other hand for a stiff-arm. My biggest thrill? To me, there is no better feeling than when you get a good stiff-arm on somebody and knock him down."Randolph’s voice carries the echo of high-school senior Clifford, who excitedly anticipated his state football game, noting, in a 1999 interview with IlliniHG.com, "I like the pressure...Any time in a crucial situation, I love to have the ball." Citing the accomplished work of his offensive line, a record-setting (51 touchdowns, 314 points in a single season) Clifford was both humbled and excited by his distinction as Player of the Year (as recognized by USA Today, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette and the Naperville Sun), sharing in that same interview, "It's pretty shocking…I can't explain how much fun I'm having…going into the season I would never have dreamed of getting this huge record. It is a big deal as a personal goal and as a team goal. Everyone's contributed to get that goal. It's kind of like a team record, not just a Ryan Clifford record.” As a high school and college athlete, Clifford found joy in the heat of competition as well as in his connection with teammates, facing each challenge with the same confidence and winning attitude he now instills in his own athletes.As a two-sport varsity athlete, Clifford was a two-letter winner in both football and baseball. As an All-DuPage Valley center-fielder with a .397 average, he made the Summer All-State baseball team, as well as the Daily Herald and Naperville Sun All-Area Teams. He was proud to be part of his high performing and close-knit teams. One of his favorite opportunities was singing in front of teammates and fans at the seventh-inning stretch at Wrigley Field. Honored for his athletic achievements over four years, Clifford was named the Naperville Sun’s Male Athlete of the Year and the High School All-America magazine Midwest Player of the Year.Clifford went on to play for the University of Illinois from 2001-2004, earning a spot on the Dean’s Honor Roll, as well as a BA in Communications. He received his Masters Degree from Northern Illinois in Physical Education and is currently a Physical Education and Driver’s Education teacher for the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization. Clifford was proud to return to the Redhawk community, serving as an assistant football coach for the 2005-2008 and 2011 seasons. He is married to Stacy, also a 2000 graduate of Naperville Central, and is a proud dad to Ashton and Samantha.Clifford advises current Naperville Central students to “put life’s challenges into perspective and never stop creating memories.”Something Clifford did – and continues to do – each and every day.