Northern Illinois University Athletics

Three-sport Northern Illinois all-star and two-time Athletics Hall of Fam inductee. Recipient of votes on NIU All-Century squads in both football and basketball. First black student-athlete in Northern Illinois program and first minority to earn an “NI” varsity letter in any sport. Contemporary of Hall of Fame pioneers such as Reino Nori, Benny Westlake, Leonard Skoglund, Roy “Flip” Allen, Chet Davis, Alex Saudargas, Jack Mustapha, Karl Hein, etc. Made reputation as fullback and linebacker on gridiron for Northern Illinois patriarch George “Chick” Evans. Described by The Norther school yearbook as “…a terror at backing up the line on defense and wore an iron mask (dubbed the ‘steel cowcatcher’), to protect an injured jaw…his powerful hips potent in line-plunging (on offense).” Starred on 7-1-1 Little 19 Conference powerhouse as senior (1935). Selected on All-Decade Team (1930s) during NIU football Centennial (1999). Lettered in football (2), basketball (2) and baseball (2). Enshrined into NIU Athletics Hall of Fame with 1933-34 basketball team as guard on quintet that captured Little 19 championship, finished with 15-2 record, and participated in precursor to NCAA Tournament in post-season National Association of Basketball Coaches Convention Clinic in Atlanta, GA. Played vs. Kansas and Pittsburgh in 20-minute cage exhibitions that displayed various styles of play and proposed rule changes. Parlayed votes on hardwood Honorable Mention All-Century Team (1999). Paducah, KY, native and Rochelle Twp. High product (Deceased).