Central's Gymnastics Gym May Be Renamed

HINSDALE, IL – The Hinsdale High School District 86 board is set to vote Thursday on naming Central High School's gymnastics gym after a former coach who has been described as "legendary."

The honor would go to former coach Neil Krupicka, who became the gymnastics team's coach in 1974 and held the job for more than three decades.

The request comes from assistant coach Myles Laffey and other coaches, both past and present.

According to the district's information, Krupicka graduated from Central High in 1967 as captain of the growing boys gymnastics team under coach Anthony Canino. He returned after college to assist Canino with a couple of his four state titles. Krupicka inherited the program upon Canino's retirement.

Under his leadership, Krupicka oversaw his boys team to five state championships, 15 state trophies, 25 state meet appearances, 17 sectional championships and 13 individual state champions.

In the mid-1980s, Krupicka also took the helm of the girls program. The 1995 girls team was second at state.

"Perhaps there is no greater testimony to how deserving Coach Krupicka is for this honor than the passion with which he has advocated for this new gymnastics gym, a beautiful space that will benefit future coaches and gymnasts, but which he himself never had at his disposal," Laffey wrote.

He added, "Perhaps there is no greater evidence of his impact on his athletes than the swift response from alumni to help transform the old pool into a new gym that honors the winning traditions and lasting legacy of Hinsdale Central Gymnastics."

Last week, a special district committee recommended naming the gym in Krupicka's honor.

Krupicka now lives in Rancho Mirage, California.