Catching up With: Former Nazareth Area High School quarterback, Rob Shriver

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Name: Rob Shriver

Local connection: Nazareth Area High School (1990)

Notables: Starting quarterback for Nazareth's District 11 Class AAA championship team in 1989

Member of the Blue Eagles back-to-back District 11 Class AAA champion squads in 1988 and 1989.

Played against his father Bob Shriver (coach of Easton) three times

Graduated cum laude from Virginia Tech in 1993 with a BA in International Studies

Assistant coach Northampton Area High School (2000-06)

Received law degree with honors from George Washington University Law School in 1997
Currently resides: Alexandria, Va.
Nazareth Area High School graduate Rob Shriver understands not many people have the opportunity to meet a President of the United States in their lifetime, let alone work for one.

That's why Shriver is relishing every moment of working in President Obama's administration as the Senior Policy Counsel of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

"It's been a wonderful opportunity, to first volunteer for his campaign and then to work for him on a lot of issues," Shriver said. "I never expected it. I feel very lucky to have this opportunity."

The 39-year-old Shriver, who started at quarterback for Nazareth's last district championship team in 1989, even had the chance to meet one-on-one with the President in the Oval Office when a government shutdown looked possible earlier this year.

"It was just me and him and he brought me in to thank me for some of the work I've done for preparing for a government shutdown," Shriver said.

Shriver lives with his wife JoAnn Martinez-Shriver and two sons, 7-year-old Robby and 5-year-old Mitch, in Alexandria, Va.

Before starting his job with the Obama administration in June 2009, he was an Assistant Counsel for the National Treasury Employees Union for 13 years. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 1993 with a degree in International Studies and then received a law degree from George Washington University Law School in 1997.

Prior to his work in government, Shriver played football at Nazareth and was a part of the Blue Eagles' back-to-back District 11 Class AAA championship teams in 1988 and 1989.

During his years at Nazareth, Shriver played against his father Bob Shriver, who was the coach for Easton, on three occasions. Add in that Rob's sister, Mindy, was a cheerleader for Nazareth and his cousin, Shane Lamas, was a defensive lineman for Easton and the Red Rovers-Blue Eagles games made for a real family affair.

Although each of Rob's matchups against his father resulted in Easton victories, the experience of playing at Cottingham Stadium was a special one.

"It was very exciting," Shriver said. "My first varsity start was at Cottingham Stadium, a field I grew up on."

With his dad taking over as head coach at Easton in 1980, Shriver was close with the Red Rovers' program despite attending a rival school.

"From the time he took over as a head coach, I was water boy, ball boy," Shriver said. "I traveled all over with the team. I really respected the tradition Easton had."

Despite moving out of the area several years ago, Shriver makes sure he returns to his hometown as much as he can.

"My parents still live there," Shriver said. "I come back several times a year. Last year, Nazareth was kind enough to invite me back to speak at the homecoming pep rally."

In addition to refereeing his son's soccer games, Shriver also spends his spare time playing basketball and keeping up to date on his favorite teams.

"I still remain a huge fan of the Philadelphia sports teams. I follow them all," Shriver said. "I also go down at least once a year to a Virginia Tech football game."

"Catching Up With" is a weekly online feature that runs Sundays on lehighvalleylive.com. The subjects are former local high school or collegiate athletes who no longer live in the region. If you have an idea about an athlete you would like to see profiled, send an e-mail to kgary@express-times.com.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/09/catching_up_with_former_nazare.html