Cindi Schaaf – Class of 1987It’s been quite the year for Cindi Schaaf. When she and her Naperville Central classmates came together to celebrate their 30th high school reunion earlier this fall, for Schaaf’s friends, it was like no time had passed at all. The dynamic, funny, and passionate girl who-loved-all-things-Redskin in the late 1980s is still very much a part of the accomplished woman she is today. The enthusiasm and genuine humility radiating out of the stories, articles, and pictures she shared in preparation for her induction has been infectious; in every sense, Cindi Schaaf is the perfect embodiment of the Naperville Central spirit. Schaaf was an athlete for all seasons, boldly collecting memories on the golf green, on the softball diamond, and in the gymnastics gym. Favorite moments sprinkled throughout the highlight reel of her high school athletic career include pitching a “no-hitter” against Glenbard West and competing on the beam for the 1985 IHSA 8th Place Girls Gymnastics team. While talented in many arenas, Schaaf’s true love was golf. A major contributor to NCHS’s trips to the State tournament during her freshman and sophomore years, Schaaf made headlines when she became the Illinois Women’s Golf Association State Junior Champion in 1986. As a senior, she was named Chicago Tribune Prep Athlete of the week and nearly took the IHSA’s individual State crown, placing 2nd after a hard fought playoff to break a tie. Proud coach, fellow Hall of Famer Bob Sterr, told the Chicago Tribune at the time, “At the beginning of the season, I predicted she’d be a potential state champ. You can look it up.” Schaaf credits Sterr’s infinite patience, positive attitude, and great quotes with helping her believe in herself in all situations. Though Cindi’s heart beat for athletics, she found just as much delight beyond competition, counting Senior Prom and Dave Dillon (“possibly the best teacher EVER!”)’s Sociology class among her favorite memories. She is thankful for the instruction of coaches like Sterr and Jim Caudill, who both taught her that “to reach your full potential, your head and your heart have to be fully committed” and “hard work and hustle could be the best attributes an athlete can possess.” That philosophy served her well as a golfer and student at the University of Oklahoma, where she thrived under the powerful tutelage of renowned Sooner women’s golf coach, Carol Ludvigson who, herself a four-year OU letterwinner, had the longest tenure of any women’s golf coach in Sooner history. Schaaf was a three-year varsity letterwinner, acting as a key contributor to the Sooners’ conference title in 1990. She graduated in 1992 with a B.A. in Communications. As Schaaf reflects back on her Redskin and Sooner days, she can’t help but smile: “I’m incredibly honored to be included [in this Athletic Hall of Fame class]. Aside from my family, sports are still what brings me the most joy, so this is probably the best award I could ever receive. I love to compete!” That love of competition is evident even in her list of notable additional athletic accomplishments, where she is equally proud of her 1990 then-course record at Stonebridge Country Club, when she shot a 2-under-par 70, and the fact that 2018 marks her 20th season of co-ed softball with the Naperville Park District – a span of seasons that has seen “lots of tournament championships won!” She thanks her parents for “giving [her] every opportunity to participate in sports” and her sister for “being [her] biggest fan!” Schaaf is deeply proud to be a graduate of NCHS - “It’s such a GREAT school!” – and thrilled that her children are also part of the Naperville Central family. Cindi is a proud mom of Andi (Class of 2016), Corey (Class of 2018) and Kyle (Class of 2022) Davenport and loving wife to husband-of-23 years, Darin. After being a stay-at-home mom for twelve years, Schaaf returned to school to become a registered nurse, graduating from the College of DuPage nursing program in 2011 and earning her BSN from Benedictine University in 2014. She has been a nurse at a pediatric clinic since 2011, where she is deeply committed to her work. Her advice to current Naperville Central student-athletes is this: “You play like you practice, so make practice count!” Schaaf has lived a life that celebrates both the practice and the play; her indomitable spirit, love of competition, and playful positivity have made her a fantastic model for her friends, family and loved ones. Thirty years later, Schaaf’s energy is as radiant as ever.