Hall of Fame
Two-time Hall of Famer with several Northern Illinois football "firsts." Named program's initial First-Team AP Little All-America (with enough support to make Honorable Mention AP All-America at major-college level in 1951). Won NIU's first NCAA College Division individual stats titles total offense (1,762 yards in 1950 and 1,775 in 1951). Became first Huskie to have jersey retired (No. 12 in 1951). Tabbed First-Team All-IIAC three times (1949-51), plus named team MVP and IIAC Player of Year (1951). Pro style QB on fabled 9-0-0 Hall of Fame IIAC title squad that won Tangerine Bowl bid (1951). Led NCAA College Division in passing yardage (1,710) and TD strikes (16) as senior. Rated No. 2 in College Division passing in both 1950 (based on completions?102-of-210 for 1,597 yards and 13 TDs) and 1951 (103-of-225 for 1,710 yards and 16 TDs). Ranked among Top 10 NCAA punters (No. 7 at 40.6 ypp. in 1950 and No. 9 at 38.3 ypp. in 1951). Career Passing Totals: 250-of-550 for 4,076 yards and 38 TDs. Threw (then) NIU-record six TDs vs. Illinois State (10-20-51). Scrambled for 24-yard gain on 4th and 10 in "play of year" drive in final quarter for 27-26 win vs. Nebraska-Omaha (11-17-51). Lettered as HB (1948). Nicknamed "Heimer" or "Huskie humdinger." NIU Homecoming king (1951). Named All-Decade & among Century's Top 10 (1999). Ex-NIU aide under Howard Fletcher and "Doc" Urich. Served as head football coach at Leyden (1952-54) and DeKalb (1955-67) highs. Riverside-Brookfield High product.
