William Seiple
Class of 1971Alumni Recognition Award, 2005
During his childhood years, Bill Seiple and his brother, Steve, would play countless games of two-man baseball in a field behind their house in Creston, Illinois. Absent a proper umpire, the brothers had agreed that the pitcher was to call the balls and strikes. On one hot afternoon, Bill, who was getting beaten by his older brother, began to stretch the strike zone on some of his own pitches. When Steve protested, Bill took it upon himself to eject his brother from the two-man game, thus setting the stage for his life not only as a baseball aficionado, but as a disciplinarian. Those who are closest to Bill Seiple would undoubtedly agree that the passion and intensity he exhibited that long-ago summer day are manifest characteristics of the extraordinary person he is today.
A Naperville resident since the age of nine, Bill has made and continues to make a profound impact in our community. Having received his elementary and middle school educations from Highland School, Washington Junior High, and Lincoln Junior High, Bill went on to graduate from Naperville Central. As a Redskin, he was a dedicated baseball player, and his love of the game led him to continue playing throughout college. At Monmouth College, Bill lettered all four years and was named an All Midwest Conference second baseman in 1975. In the midst of receiving his Masters in Administration from Northern Illinois University, Bill returned to Naperville where he began his teaching career at Jefferson Junior High, and, in addition, assumed coaching positions in football, basketball, and baseball. In 1985, NCHS was blessed with the return of Bill Seiple this time as a teacher in the Social Studies department. Since then, Bill has proven himself to be an important asset to the school, and currently serves as Dean of Students.
A sports enthusiast since his earliest days, Bill has become a major player in Naperville’s athletic scene. In 1982, he was made head coach of the Redhawk’s Varsity baseball team, a position to which he has been greatly committed for 24 seasons. During his tenure, “Coach Seiple” has led the Redhawks to eight DuPage Conferences Championships and nine Spring Regional Championships. A dedicated member of the IHSBCA, Bill received the Man of the Year Award in 1987, The Naperville Sun Coach of the Year Award in 1989, and was deservedly inducted into the IHSBCA Hall of Fame in 1996. Bill’s other claim to fame is his position as the official announcer of NCHS football games. His fervor and zest set the stage for the exciting and memorable Friday night games. It is doubtful that there is a student at NCHS that cannot identify Bill’s booming voice as the “Voice of the Redhawks.”
It was, in fact, Bill who spearheaded the NCHS Alumni Recognition Project. For years, he has been dedicated to presenting former Naperville Central graduates with the accolades he/she deserves. With such a tremendous career, it seems only fitting that Bill be placed “on the wall” alongside those he himself has devoted hours to recognizing. However, it is quite arguable that, of all the Outstanding Alumni, the students of Naperville Central have not been as personally connected to one individual as they are to Bill Seiple. As a Dean of Students, Bill has fashioned a strong bond between himself and the students to whom he is fully committed.
Perhaps most importantly Bill Seiple is an upstanding “family guy.” He is a loving husband to his wife, Nancy, and caring father to his two children, Ryan and Ashley. His family accredits to him much of the Seiple family tradition, and are proud of the husband and father he has proven to be.
In seemingly every aspect of his life, Bill Seiple’s devotion and commitment have formed the basis of his character. His passion is exceeded only by his compassion for his family, students, and ballplayers. Though he has already accomplished more than most may in a lifetime, rest assured that Bill Seiple will continue to influence our community for years to come
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