Hall of Fame
Productive all-around performer in football and baseball. Two-sport Northern Illinois team captain and all-conference selection. Awarded six varsity "NI" monograms in football (3) and baseball (3). Earned letters in football (1956, 1959-60) and baseball (1956, 1959-60). Selected on All-Decade Team (1950s) during NIU football Centennial (1999). Contributed to first two winning seasons (7-2-0 in both 1959 and 1960) during early tenure of Hall of Fame head football coach Howard Fletcher. Completed Northern Illinois gridiron career as (then) No. 3 all-time rusher (1,089 yards) behind HOF peers Bob Brigham (1,221 yards in 1947-49) and Joe Plaskas (1,315 yards in 1956-59). Ranked No. 1 among all 20th Century NIU single-season rushing leaders in yards-per-carry (7.3 avg. in 1960). Repeated as First-Team All-IIAC halfback as junior and senior. Led team six times in various season statistical categoriesÑkickoff returns in 1956 (10 for 182 yards) and 1960 (13 got 193 yards), scoring in 1956 (24 points on four TDs) and 1960 (55 points on nine TDs and one PAT), rushing in 1960 (77 carries for 559 yards), and receiving in 1956 (six catches for 117 yards). Voted Huskie team captain and Most Valuable Player as senior. Finished No. 2 in team rushing (416 yards) as junior. Recorded one of longest College Division rushing gains in NIU history (64 yards vs. Illinois State in 1960). Made Second-Team All-IIAC at second base in baseball (1959). Rated No. 4 in team batting (.299 avg.) as senior captain (1960). Chicago St. Rita High product.
