Lake Park hands program to Roll

Lake Park is ready to Roll.

Chris Roll, a 13-year varsity assistant and the Lancers' offensive coordinator the last two seasons, has been hired as Lake Park's new varsity football coach.

A 1991 Lake Park graduate who returned to teach social studies at the Roselle high school, Roll succeeds retiring coach Andy Livingston, who in 17 seasons compiled a record of 107-67.

An all-Upstate Eight Conference honoree in football, basketball and baseball who earned 1995 Academic all-Big Ten accolades at Indiana University as a senior defensive back, at Lake Park Roll played under Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame member Bob Monken. Roll becomes Lake Park's fifth varsity football coach and only its third in the past 47 years.

Roll cited his roots in the community as "a special part of this whole process." His father, Richard, also played Lancers football.

"When I left college I knew I'd coach and teach somewhere," Chris Roll said. "I think the road led back to Lake Park all the way."

The 37-year-old Itasca resident, who met his wife, Kara, at a college dance, was seen as Livingston's natural successor. As Livingston said last fall, however, Roll wasn't just simply going to be "anointed."

Roll was among 80 applicants for the position, Lake Park athletic director Pete Schauer said. Twelve were brought in for an initial screening that narrowed the number to six who were granted full interviews. Roll was among two finalists.

"I'm really excited," said Roll, whose appointment came Jan. 14. "Obviously, when I came back to Lake Park it was a goal of mine, and I was fortunate with Andy, I was able to develop. He mentored me a lot on how to behave among everybody among the staff, among the kids in the program."

Aside from initially selecting his assistants and increasing speed, strength and confidence in a program that went 2-7 on the varsity level in 2010, Roll's emphasis will be deepening relationships with feeder programs such as the Bloomingdale Bears and Roselle Vikings. He'd like to create a Lake Park football alumni club to foster a greater sense of program history.

Mainly, Roll seeks to develop solid citizens who happen to be dynamite football players.

"I just want everyone to understand I have high expectations for the young men in our program, both personally and football-wise. I think what I've gained over the years in playing with a lot of different coaches at the Big Ten level and the high school level is that building a program is going to make the kids victorious," he said.

"I want to make them understand commitment. I want them to understand giving back to the community, and getting their personal lives in order. If a young man's life is in order then football is a little easier. And that's what I'm going to really work on in the next six months. I want them to understand personal goals and commitment equals success."