By Janet Kenyon –
Reminisce and reconnect (R&R) were the themes woven into conversations at the revival of the Naperville Alumni Football Club dinner and social held on the eve of the Naperville Central High School against Naperville North High School non-conference football game. Host Naperville Central won, 35-7. Former Naperville Central teammates and coaches gathered at the Naperville VFW to share stories and offer life’s updates. More than 40 individuals joined the event. Both Naperville Redskins and Redhawks, bonded by the Naperville Central roots, exchanged hugs, smiles, and a pasta meal.
After the event had fallen dormant for a few seasons, the committee of former Naperville Central team members and coaches responded to bring the group back together. As the idea moved forward, many opportunities emerged and created renewed excitement. Attendees represented teams from the 1950s through the recent years.
Committee member and retired Naperville Central head coach, Joe Bunge, reflected on the night with the following words: “It’s always great to see people you spent time with five hours a day, five months a year over 20 years ago. It’s good to talk about fun and good to relive old memories.”
The coaching staff members present spanned seven decades. Former head coach Bob Funston spent 10 years coaching Naperville Community High School teams starting with the 1956 season. Eventually, coach Funston made his way to the new Naperville North High School to coach the Huskies.
Benny Kenyon photo
Naperville Central assistant football coach Stephen “Benny” Kenyon heard attendees express an interest to plan a future event. He helped organize the event. Many in attendance were eager to get the word out for next year’s Naperville Central football reunion. Fun and past chapters related to football will propel this event to the future.
The Naperville Central football alumni were invited to extend the reunion by attending the game Friday night held at the Naperville Central High School stadium. On a damp evening the Redhawks and Friday night home football game kept the momentum of a good reunion positive by providing a 35-7 victory over crosstown rival Naperville North in an unprecedented regular season non-conference game.
Stay tuned for round two and the regular season neutral site conference football game September 28 will be at North Central College in Naperville.