Hall of Fame
Ranks on exclusive list of five Northern Illinois national individual mat kingpins. Gained "club" membership at National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Championships at Colorado School of Mines (1961). Recorded two wins via fall, plus 4-2 and 5-4 decisions en route to NAIA 167-pound weight class crown and All-America accolades under Hall of Fame head coach John Wrenn as senior. Two-time NAIA tourney qualifier (1959, 1961). Captured Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 167-pound championship for HOF mat boss Bob Brigham as junior (1959-60). Finished as IIAC runner-up in 157-pound bracket as sophomore (1958-59) and in 177-pound division as senior (1960-61). Ruled 157-pound weight class at Central Amatuer Athletic Union tournament (1958-59). Placed second in Wheaton Invitational at 157 in soph campaign. Completed three-year Northern Illinois varsity career with 41-8-3 won-lost-draw record including 13-4-3 mark as sophomore (1958-59), 14-3-0 ledger as junior (1959-60), and 14-1-0 standard as senior (1960-61). Accumulated 12 career dual-meet triumphs via fall. Produced 10-0-0 record in NIU duals (four wins at 177 pounds, five at 191, and one in heavyweight class) in final campaign. Awarded varsity "NI" monograms on 11-3-0 (1958-59), 6-4-1 (1959-60), and 6-5-0 (1960-61) dual-meet mat squads, plus two Northern Illinois units that placed third (1958-59) and fourth (1960-61) in team standings at NAIA Championships. Known for studied, relentless style on mat. Transferred to NIU from Cornell (IA) College. Received four wrestling letters as 138-pound class entry at Blue Island (IL) High School.
