In high schools across this country, coaches coach, athletes compete, and fans cheer. But only those familiar with the “behind the scenes” of an athletic department can truly understand the number of people it takes to organize and lead an entire athletic program. It’s impossible for even the most committed fan to have a clear picture of the volume of support personnel that have a hand in each victory. From 1964 through 1993, Dick Nelson left an anonymous but indelible mark on Naperville Community and Naperville Central athletics that is still felt today.In 1954, Dick Nelson received a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, with minors in both Mathematics and Education, from St. Procopius College in Lisle. Following a year as Department Chair for math and science at Marmion Military Academy in Aurora, Nelson came to Naperville Community High School in 1964, where he served as a math teacher for two years before also taking on the role of department chair for math in 1966. As a math teacher and leader, Dick Nelson was without peer. According to Naperville Central Athletic Hall of Fame member and retired basketball coach Bob Sterr, a colleague of Nelson’s, “He was a great evaluator of math teachers, offering helpful suggestions and never making demands. He is the best math teacher in Naperville Central history. Every one of his students I've ever talked to have said just that.” Sterr added, “The most impressive thing was Dick's gentle hand on the steering wheel of the math department. His opinion was valued by all the administrations he served. His philosophy was that coaches made good teachers because that is what coaches do-- teach. Dick worked quietly and out of the spotlight. A very humble, outstanding man. I owe him very much.”Dick was not only instrumental in the hiring of Sterr in 1975, he is directly responsible for identifying other talented candidates who would go on to have exceptional teaching and coaching careers for Naperville Central, including Andy Nussbaum, Mike Stine, Ed Watson, fellow Hall of Fame inductee John Paskvalich, Jim Braun, Kevin Bell, Sue Ervin, Bill Madsen, Jim Innocenti, John Wallbaum, and a host of others. And while these coaches would experience tremendous success both in the classroom and on the competition surface, each has attributed a part of their professional growth- and the reputation of the athletic department- to Nelson’s steady leadership. Stine pointed out, “Dick was one of the few department heads that understood the importance of how coaches could impact a school culture and also positively affect kids’ lives outside of the classroom. He had a vision of the ‘big picture’.” Dick Nelson was a fixture at Naperville Central sporting events, often working as a ticket taker or in some other volunteer capacity. As dedicated as he was to Redskin athletics, Nelson also loved the Chicago Cubs. Naperville Central girls soccer coach Ed Watson shared, “One of my favorite memories of Dick Nelson was the first time I met him. After my formal interview with the Principal, Assistant Principal, and Dick, I was taken to the Math Office for Dick’s informal interview. His final question for me was, ‘Which team do you root for? Cubs or Sox?’ I tried to go with the safe answer and said I cheer for both. Dick was not having any of it and asked again. I told the truth that my team was the White Sox. His response was quick: ‘Wrong answer’.” Dick Nelson was a man who took his relationships seriously without taking himself too seriously.It seems appropriate that a man who spent his career connecting students and colleagues with their passions would play a vital role in helping Naperville Central alumni and fans transition to a new mascot to be passionate about before he retired in the spring of 1993. As the community was struggling with an identity shift from Redskins to Redhawks, it was Nelson who helped put the whole period in perspective with an original poem. Each year the Naperville Central Athletic Hall of Fame dinner opens with Nelson’s poem, bringing together two identities that celebrate the rich tradition of Naperville Community and Naperville Central athletics:The mighty Redskin stood in place with folded arms and painted face.Determined, yes, with furrowed brow to bring the vic'try then as now.For many years he served our school, 'twas no exception, t'was the rule, providing inspiration when 'twas twelve points down or fourth and ten.We say goodbye through all our tears, to you served so well for years.With baskets sunk, or pitches tossed your memory will not be lost.The bravest of the brave was he, so sad he can no longer be.And now there's one last thing to say: A noble Redskin died today.A noble Redskin died today, a bright young Hawk is born.The Redhawk soars in Central skies as if to say, "Don't mourn," now through the years I'll serve you well your mascot shall I be.Through thick and thin we'll fight to win and you'll be proud of me.I'll bear your colors with great pride, the Redhawk seems to say.Onward, upward, never stalling, halting never, come what may.So join me now, new Redhawk friends, in cheering every Central feat.For years to come we'll toast our teams while boasting every vic'try sweet.Dick Nelson is one of the unsung heroes of Naperville Community and Naperville Central athletics. He truly represents what it means to be a friend of athletics. While he never scored a point or won a race for the athletic department he loved so much, his impact is still being directly felt more than fifty years after he first joined the Redskin/Redhawk family