IADA Hall of Fame

Improving the lives of young athletes by helping them develop self-esteem, work ethic and life skills to become productive citizens was the guiing principle in the exceptional career-both as an athletic director and coach of Bob Naughton. After completing an exemplary coaching tenure, which included selection as the Chicago Tribune Coach of the Year (1965), as an inductee into the Illinois Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2000), as the Chicago Catholic League Man of the Year (1967) and as the Frank Leahy Award winner turned his energy and talent into improving the athletic program at New Trier High SChool a 19 year commitment that increased that school's athletic program to 29 sports and 89 levels of competition. Applying the determination and extraordinary diligence that mirrored his tenure on the sideine, Bob guided New Trier High School athletics effectively tirelessly advocating additional opportuniities for high school athletes. Girl'd inter-scholastic competeion was still in its infancy when bob became New Trier's athletic director. Working in league with his assistant Lee Kennicke, he was able to enhance the overall program providing a model for other school districts in the state, Under his leadership, New Trier High SChool producuced 41 state championship teams. In 1980's, he became a leader in applying new technologies to assist in athletic administration and sharing this valuable knowledge as a presenter at many workshops and athlethic director's conventions. THis service strenghtened the connection with the Illinois Athletic Directors Association a new professional relationship that he approached with the same verve and attention to detail that marked his entire career. In 2000, the New Trier High SChool Board of Education gave tribute to the coachm teacher, and athletic director who had given so much of himself by naming the school's football stadium Robert Naughton Field. This honor, which he lists as on of the highlights of his career, signifies the esteem with which he held in his commiunity. That esteem is echoed by the Illinois Athletic Director;s Association who welcomes him in their Hall of Fame.