Hall of Fame
Student-athlete. Coach. Educator. Captain of industry. Invented M&M Peanuts candies and created famous Madison Avenue slogan: "Melts in your mouth, not in your hands." Awarded four Northern Illinois letters in football. Played guard on "Prof" elevens under coach Roland Cowell (1927-28) and George "Chick" Evans (1929-30). Captained 6-2-1 Huskie gridders and cited Honorable Mention All-Little 19 Conference as senior (1930). Graduated from NIU with bachelor of education degree (1931). Received master of arts degree from Iowa (1932) and doctorate from Purdue (1942). Began teaching career as math instructor, plus head football and basketball coach at St. Albans Academy in Sycamore (1932-34). Continued same roles at St. Viator College in Kankakee (1934-37). Posted 47-16 won-lost mark in three seasons with St. Viator cagers?including 21-4 record and share of Little 19 title (1936-37). Positioned program on national level and received invitation from promoter Ned Irish to play in New York City's Madison Square Garden (1937-38). Placed two St. Viator gridders in Chicago Tribune College All-Star Football Game at Soldier Field (1937). Worked at Republic Aviation Corp. in Evansville (IN). Served as president of Food Manufacturers, Inc. (M&M Mars) and Chairman of the Board for Uncle Ben's Converted Rice (1945-62). Taught at Detroit (1937-43), NIU (1970-78), and Cal State Bakersfield (1978-88). Recipient of NIU Alumni-Varsity Club Citizen's Award (1973). DeKalb Twp. High grad. Born in Rochelle. (Deceased).
