Hall of Fame
Described by peers as "...a 1-A guy...a real Northern man." Earned six Northern Illinois varsity letters in football (3) and track (3). Played two-way end on gridiron for Hall of Fame coach George "Chick" Evans (1940-42). Honored on All-Decade Team (1940s) during NIU football Centennial (1999). Served as team captain as senior (1942). Performed on Huskie elevens with combined 17-5-3 won-lost-tie record (6-3-0 in 1940, 7-1-1 in 1941, and 4-1-2 in 1942). Handled middle distance races (440 and 880-yard runs), plus leg on mile relay for HOF track mentor Carl Appell (1941-43). Contributed to Little 19 Conference track team championships in back-to-back springs (1941-42). Competed in five events (high and low hurdles, 440, 880, and mile relay) and finished second in team scoring behind Hall of Famer Cy Perkins at Little 19 meet (1942). Began college career at Wisconsin-Whitewater. Won letters at UW-W in basketball (1) and track (1) (1938-39). Prepared for free agent tryout with NFL Philadelphia Eagles prior to call-up by U. S. Marines. Served as captain in 2nd Marine Division in South Pacific (Saipan, Guam, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa) during World War II (1943-46). Taught at Mishawaka (IN) (1947-54), East Leyden (1954-58), and West Leyden (1959-80) high schools. Named first varsity head coach in football and track at West (1959-60). Coached line on Indiana state prep grid champs (1950). Lettered in three sports and served as team captain in football, basketball, and track in senior year (1937-38) at Sycamore High School (Deceased).
