University of Virginia Library

Effort Brings Naponick Praise

Six years ago Big John Naponick
was one of the hottest high
school prospects in the country.
He was tabbed as an excellent
football player and a fantastic
basketball player. Over 100 schools
contacted him in the hopes of landing
the prize prospect. He put
Irwin, Pennsylvania, on the map.

Thus when the Norwin High
School senior signed his letter of
intent to the University of Virginia,
it was considered to be the
University's first big step back to
big time football.

Rather Large

At 6 feet, 9 inches, and 290
pounds Naponick was the most
conspicuous of the 21 scholarship
boys which later were labeled the
"21 jewels." That freshman team
lost but one game and was supposed
to make the Wahoos one of
the best teams in the ACC the following
year.

He fared well his first year,
leaving a big impression on most
people that he faced. But during
the summer practice before his
varsity debut, Naponick began to
have leg trouble. Nevertheless he
started against Wake Forest at
middle defensive guard, although
he did not do well because of
his leg which later was found
to have a calcium deposit. This
defect ended his first season as a
Wahoo.

Reduces

Naponick's gridiron fortunes
were dim the next two years, but
he made up for this with two
good year on the basketball court.
Down to 280 pounds, he could stay
up with the game.

As one of coach Bill Gibson's
corps he showed why he earned so
many high school honors. After
all how can anyone forget his performances
against VPI two years
ago? He came up with 21 points
and 19 rebounds while holding the
opposing center to one point.

But this fall has seen a revitalized
"Bi John" come back to
football. At a svelte 255 he now
has the needed mobility to make
a great defensive lineman—or at
least, the pros think so.

He has also used his height
to advantage this year. Just ask
UNC quarterback Gayle Bomar
how tall he is. He probably will
answer: "Too tall."

Finally coming into his own,
Naponick has improved in every
game this season. Against third-ranked
North Carolina State he
played his best game of the year.