Hall of Fame
Acclaimed as the "Lord of the Rings" by virtue of his National Collegiate Athletic Association and Illinois High School Association still rings championships. Two-time Division I All-America (1977-78, 1978-79) and three-year NCAA Championships qualifier (1976, 1978, 1979). Used "Iron Cross" strength, solid technique, swing, and advanced dismount to become Northern Illinois' second NCAA Division I gymnastics champion (1979). Scored school-record 9.80 in optionals, added 9.75 in finals, and beat Indiana State superstar Kurt Thomas (19.425-to-19.175) for NCAA title (April 7, 1979). Finished second in NCAA still rings as junior and 14th as frosh. Rallied from 17th place to national runner-up with clutch 9.65 in NCAA finals (1978). Won four major rings titles(1) Midwest Open, (2) Windy City Invitational, (3) NCAA Mideast Regional, and (4) NCAA and took 14 firsts in 16 meets as senior. Shared team MVP award with two-time NCAA pommel horse kingpin and Hall of Famer Mike Burke on unbeaten 11-0-1 dual-meet squad that defeated four Big Ten teams and one Pac-8 (10) Conference unit and that ranked as high as No. 7 nationally for Hall of Fame coach Chuck Ehrlich (1978-79). Averaged 9.57 during final season in 21 rings routines. Won Midwest Open title as junior and NCAA Eastern Independent Qualifications crown as frosh. Lettered four years at Northern Illinois. Named team captain, Most Improved, and MVP at Willowbrook High. Won league, District, and IHSA state rings crowns (beating Olympian Bart Conner in finals) (1975).
