Class of 1983 graduate Robert Eskay, Jr. is the 2018 Distinguished Graduate honoree in Athletics. In 2003, he helped merge two existing soccer group, Frederick Excel and Frederick United to create FC Frederick (Football Club of Frederick), a non-profit soccer club.

Eskay participated in both soccer and basketball but focused on soccer his senior year. He was also involved with the Student Government Association (SGA) from 7th grade to 12th grade. He was the class president his senior year.

During his time at Linganore, Eskay won Player of the Year, 1st Team All-State, 1st Team All-County, and All-MVAL. His love for the game and his skills earned him induction in 2012 into the Frederick County Soccer Hall of Fame.

Eskay and Mike Chavez, the Distinguished Graduate award winner for Academics were good friends in high school and still stay connected today.

After high school, Eskay attended the U.S. Air Force Academy from 1983 to 1985 in Colorado Springs. He then came back to the area to earn his degree at the College of William and Mary.  At William and Mary, he was a part of the men’s varsity soccer team, was on the dean’s list for academics, and was a part of Theta Delta Chi Fraternity.

Eskay chose William and Mary because both of his parents attended the college and met there as well. Eskay fell in love with the school and atmosphere. Repeating his parents’ example, he met his wife Jackie at William and Mary.

Eskay and his wife moved to Phoenix, Arizona for his job as a legislative intern, but then later moved back to the area to be closer to family, and he grew his career at a law firm in Washington, D.C. 

Eskay’s love for the game of soccer stayed strong, which led him to make it the main focus of his career for the last decade. In 2003, he helped create the non-profit organization, FC Frederick. Around Frederick County, the club is well-known. New programs for the club are created to involve both new and past players.

Some programs FC Frederick offers are Golden Mile Soccer Program, FC Frederick Classic, FC Frederick Academy 1, FC Frederick Academy 2, FC Frederick Juniors, FC Frederick Seniors, and FC Frederick Pro. Many current students have participated and are familiar with FC Frederick’s opportunities.

Chuck Hommey, an FC Frederick colleague, said, “Bo has played an integral role in taking FC Frederick to new heights by creating new programs, professionalizing numerous aspects of the club, providing player and parent educational resources, improving the quality of teams, working with the greater Frederick community and more.”

Another project that FC Frederick has tackled is the Bartholows Road project. FC Frederick has been looking for years to find a piece of land to create a soccer complex for the club. This project will be huge for both the club and the players. It is currently in the site planning phase and being cleaned up so the construction can start.

Over his time at the club, he has already excelled as a coach and as an executive director.

Mackenzie Smith, a player for FC Frederick said, “I have known Coach Bo for a very long time. He has always been so kind and always knows how to make you laugh.”

Eskay said, “Being open to friendships and relationships with a wide variety of kids can definitely help down the road.”

Eskay’s’ advice for freshmen is, “Get outside of your comfort zone and take advantage of everything that is offered in high school.”