Bob Kuppers Graduated from FHS in 1971.  After high School he attended the U.S. Naval Academy and then spent 25 years serving the U.S. Submarine Force. During his 25 years he lived in Orlando, Florida, Charleston, South Carolina, New London, Connecticut, Pascagoula, Mississippi, Honolulu, Hawaii, Norfolk, Virginia, Northwood (London), England, and Kings Bay, Georgia. He served on 6 nuclear submarines. While he was serving on submarines there were several conflicts, including the Cold War, Balkans Conflict and Desert Storm, but while he was in a combat zone he never actually participated in live combat. His last assignment was the USS Key West where he was the Commanding Officer. He was also Commanding Officer of Trident Training Facility in Kings Bay, Georgia. Mr. Kuppers retired in 2000 after 25 years and became a teacher for Macon County Schools and a football/basketball coach at FHS. Coaching football at FHS was one of the best times of his life. Getting to coach such great players (too many to mention here) and to work with great coaches like Coach Fred Goldsmith, Josh and Jay Brooks, Tim Hawkins, Seth Adams, Tony Plemmons, and Kris Reis (he wanted to mention he hoped he didn’t skip anyone) was a tremendous honor and a great time. They won a lot of games, but he felt like he influenced a lot of lives so it was really a rewarding experience. The advise he would give graduates today is to” Always remember that life is not a spectator sport, you have to get off the bench and play”. By that he means get involved in your church, you community, government whatever, just be a player — not a fan!