Mr. Frank Krakowski graduated from Cathedral Preparatory School in 2001. Mr. Krakowski said he chose Prep because it “had the right mix of academics and athletics.” He also was happy to participate in the Gannon program as a senior. Another thing he recognized that set Prep apart from other high schools in the area is the lasting brotherhood. When asked about his favorite thing about Cathedral Prep he said, “the brotherhood, the friendships, and the memories.”
While at Cathedral Prep, Mr. Krakowski swam and played water polo. In addition, he played many intramural sports such as basketball and volleyball. Mr. Krakowski was a standout swimmer at Cathedral Prep. He was a state champion in the 100 butterfly and held the school record for over 10 years.
After graduating from Cathedral Prep, he attended the University of Notre Dame. While at Notre Dame he swam for four years and earned his degree in finance. Mr. Krakowski held multiple school records at Notre Dame. He graduated from Notre Dame in 2005. After graduating, he moved to Chicago where he still currently resides. Mr. Krakowski works as partner at Post Op Partners, a company that distributes post-operative medical devices in Illinois and the northern half of Indiana.
Mr. Krakowski credits Cathedral Prep with giving him the right tools to prepare him for college and life after school. When asked about how Cathedral Prep prepared him, he wisely said, “Cathedral Prep helped me to learn how to manage my time, manage my priorities. I learned what it was like to establish goals and the steps and discipline needed to achieve those goals. I learned what success was. I learned that hard work and preparation pay off. I learned how to communicate with my peers, which led to leadership and responsibility. I learned to have a sense of humor and not take myself so seriously all the time.”
I concluded my interview by asking Mr. Krakowski what advice he would give to a current Cathedral Prep student. He replied, “College is what you make of it. Identify what you want to get out of it, what your goals are and how you are going to get there.” He talked about his experiences and how he wasn’t also positive what he wanted to do so he tried new things to help. Also he said he often asked his family and friends for advice because they are the people who know you best. Mr. Krakowski also said, “Figure out how to best balance your goals with having fun.  Surround yourself with people who are good role models, people who are smart/smarter than you.”
That is a very good piece of advice for everyone, but especially great advice to Men of Prep going to college and entering the real world very soon. One thing that he said that really stood out to me was, “I learned that if you want something, whatever that might be, go after it.  Nothing really worth-while will be given to you.”
Roll Ramblers. Go Irish.