Propelled by an unwavering and passionate drive to give all that he had to all that he could, Marty Bee led Naperville Central’s athletic department with an incredible heart for service. As his former administrative assistant, Debby Adams remembers, there was nothing that Marty couldn’t – and didn’t do: “One evening, we didn’t have custodian support for basketball set up. There was Marty, pushing a mop across the gym floor before game time.” That sleeves-rolled-up approach to work was the lifeblood of Bee’s tenure; his quiet model of integrity, compassion and resilience functioned as the heartbeat of the entire Redhawk community. A diehard of all things red and white, Bee was a fixture on every sideline and a supportive presence in each set of bleachers. In all types of weather, both literal and metaphoric, Bee proudly stood, a true ambassador of sportsmanship. Marty Bee arrived at Naperville Central as the Athletic Director in 1996 following 17 years at Naperville North as a guidance counselor, certified addictions counselor, and highly successful coach. Bee developed a love affair with competition during a running career at the College of St. Francis in Joliet. While he was positively influenced by a number of high school and college coaches, it was a special bond with one in particular that would change the course of his career and ultimately Naperville Central athletics. He says, “My decision to go into coaching and education was strongly influenced by my college distance coach, Tom Brunick.” Brunick’s advice afforded Bee 33 years of working with the young people of Naperville outside of the school day, building programs and guiding young runners to success. As the head girls cross country coach at Naperville North, Bee took over a program with a total of 12 runners when he arrived. Through his persistence and hard work, participation increased fivefold, and a program that had never even advanced out of a regional competition turned into a perennial state qualifier, ultimately winning the 1993 IHSA Class AA state championship. Drawing on his experience as a coach, administering large meets, and the knowledge gained from serving as Assistant Athletic Director to Naperville North Athletic Hall of Fame member Neil McCauley, Bee traded his Huskie orange and blue for the red of Naperville Central. During his 16 years as the Redhawk Athletic Director, Central’s teams won an incredible 12 team state championships and collected 22 more top-4 finishes in state competition; each time a Redhawk squad enjoyed a victory, there was Marty Bee in the background, celebrating with everyone else. As head girls soccer coach Ed Watson noted, “Marty was not just the head of the athletic department - he was our programs’ biggest fan. Marty found a way to make each one of his coaches feel as though their team was his #1 priority.” Good friend and head boys golf coach Barry Baldwin concurred: “Marty Bee was a fan of Naperville Central. One thing Marty brought to Naperville Central is passion for all sports. No sport outweighed the other. It is not a coincidence that Naperville Central won more titles during his tenure than all the previous tenures combined.” Bee’s strong relationship with and respected place in the IHSA community is obvious when one looks at the list of committees he’s served on: IHSA All-Academic Selection, IHSA Cross Country Advisory, IHSA Athletes with Disabilities, and the IHSA Legislative Commission. But it’s the relationships he built with his coaches and the athletes that made the athletic office such a special place during his tenure. Equally quick to share a laugh or troubleshoot a problem, it was Bee’s belief that success was not measured by scores and win totals but the character that the Naperville Central community developed in its student athletes. Long removed from his years in a classroom, he remained an educator and mentor by staying connected to kids in the hallway, and insisted that the overall program guide young people to be their best version of themselves, preparing them for the next stage of their lives. He was equally adamant that coaches be the best version of themselves as well. He focused on hiring coaches who were first and foremost good in the classroom and treated their students and athletes with respect. As head baseball coach Mike Stock mentioned, “Marty was and is a constant reminder that it is all about our kids.” While enjoying a well-deserved retirement with wife Barb and grown sons Eric, Kevin, and Ryan, it’s Bee’s newest role as “grandpa” to Riley, Ethan, and Ellie that he seems to enjoy most. Looking back fondly on his time at the helm of Naperville Central athletics, Bee shares, “I was so fortunate to work with so many outstanding coaches, dedicated and positive athletes, and supportive parents. I hope my leadership was based on instilling a positive attitude, a ‘can do’ spirit, and being a positive influence.” His reminder to today’s student-athlete is that “attitude is the catalyst for all that you do. And the great upside is that you choose the attitude you bring with you to school every day, practice and your life – choose to bring a positive attitude to all that you do.” That positive attitude – and humble, aw-shucks chuckle – remains Bee’s calling card. While retirement means a physical absence from Redhawk sidelines and stands, his spirit of service, his expectation of humanity and personal excellence from all around him, and his love for the pure beauty and possibility inherent in sport remains. He is a man whose legacy continues to inspire those at his one-time home and forever love: Naperville Central.