As highly decorated two-sport high school athlete, Bob Waropay has an enviable resume. While the list of accomplishments, both individual and team, are long, Waropay finds most fulfilling the relationships he built as a student at Naperville Central High School. He shared, “Lifelong friendships developed through all NCHS school activities in both sports and musicals are my favorite part of high school memories. I still get together with high school friends after all these years.” Those lasting friendships help to illustrate the timeless connection of the high school story; student-athletes of the past, present and future share one strong commonality: the experience of being a lasting part of the NCHS community.Waropay loved everything about his Redskin community, eagerly embracing every opportunity that came his way, from leadership in class councils to performance in the choir and musicals to service opportunities and fun social events. Yearbooks from his high school career capture a smiling and charismatic young man genuinely interested in everyone around him. A true “bleed-red-and-white” student, Waropay was as much a fan of his school as he was a contributor to it.He earned 3 varsity letters in football and at one point held the records for most yards rushing in a career, season, and game. His leadership, support of his teammates, and commitment to excellence earned him the NCHS Football MVP in his senior year, as well as All-Conference 1st Team honors in his junior and senior years. As a senior, Waropay was also named to All-Area 1st Team and All-State 1st Team, garnering special recognition as a High School All-American and Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Golden Helmet award winner. One of Waropay’s most esteemed recognitions was his selection to the first Illinois Coaches All-Star Game.As talented on the baseball field as he was the gridiron, Waropay attacked his spring seasons with as much intensity as he did the fall. He earned 3 varsity letters in baseball and was a co-captain as a senior. His competitive play earned him All-Conference recognition as a junior and a senior. Thrilled to continue his high school career at the collegiate level, Waropay accepted a scholarship to play baseball at Western Illinois University.As loyal a Leatherneck as he was a Redskin, he earned 4 Varsity letters and started all 4 years. The leading hitting award winner in his sophomore year, his leadership, work ethic and team contribution earned him captain honors as a senior. Waropay was named to the Midwest Region All-Tournament Team as a catcher and was also selected to play in the Central Illinois Collegiate League with other top college professional prospects.Waropay graduated in 1979 with a B.S. in Kinesiology. He pursued a career in professional baseball and took a job at West Aurora High School. From 1980-82, he worked for the United States Gypsum Company, then blended his business and athletic interests in tenures at Wilson Sporting Goods Company and Titleist Cobra Golf Company. Waropay currently works as Retail Operations Manager at Abbott Laboratories.Almost four decades after graduation, now a loving husband and proud father of two sons, Waropay can vividly remember his time in the hallways at Naperville Central. Blending the spirit of his youth with the wisdom of his experience, Waropay advises today’s students, “Believe in yourself, follow your passion, set goals and develop a ‘plan and a backup plan.’ Surround yourself with positive role models and mentors and listen to them! Pay attention to what helped others become successful and leverage this information to help build your roadmap to success.”Sound advice from a man who has put those words into action each day of his life.