WOODSTOCK – Bob Chmiel’s speech wasn’t about football, but he couldn’t help but sneak in a few references to the sport that’s been his passion.

“You’re being observed every day,” he told a Woodstock High School auditorium filled with juniors Wednesday afternoon. “Never take a play off.”

Chmiel, director of football operations for the National Collegiate Scouting Association, delivered the first speech of a new monthly series aimed at broadening high school students’ definition of success. Weaving in examples from his days as a recruiter for the University of Notre Dame, Chmiel spoke for about 30 minutes on keys to a successful life – regardless of the road a student chooses.