Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Hall of Fame

George Acker

George Acker

  • Class
    1952
  • Induction
    1986
  • Sport(s)
    Football, Men's Basketball, Men's Tennis
Best-known offensive guard-turned-tennis-coach in U.S.A. Three-sport Northern Illinois man with varsity letters in football (3) and tennis (3), plus All-Century Team votes on gridiron and hardwood. Two-time NIU Hall of Famer and member of three halls of fame. Co-captained 9-0 Hall of Fame IIAC football champs as senior for coach George "Chick" Evans (1951). Voted on All-Decade Team (1950s) during Huskie football Centennial (1999). Lettered at OG as three-year regular (1949-51). Tabbed NIU tennis captain at No. 1 singles as junior and senior. Earned tennis letters (1950-52). Played JV basketball as frosh (1948-49). Received votes on All-Century cage unit (2000-01). Wore many "hats" at Kalamazoo College. Inducted into ITA (1994) and KC (1998) HOFs. Led Hornet netters to seven NCAA Division III team crowns (1976, 1978, 1986, 1987, 1991-93), plus six national singles titles and three in doubles during 35-year career (1959-93). Captured 35 straight Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association team titles, posted 537-231-2 won-lost-tie record in duals (209-1 in MIAA), tutored 38 All-America picks, and 19 loop MVPs. Named NCAA Division III Coach of Year (1982, 1991), plus Division III Coach of Decade (1980s). Served as Kalamazoo grid aide (1959-68), head wrestling coach (1959-72), and men's cross-country boss (1986-88). Received KC's highest faculty award for "outstanding teaching (1986)." Family honored by both WTA (1973) and USLTA (1974). Grew up four blocks from Ronald Reagan's home in Dixon (IL).
Explore HOF Explore Hall of Fame Members