Hall of Fame
Triple threat quarterback on gridiron and multi-war pilot in U. S. Air Force. Three-year QB regular for Northern Illinois athletic patriarch George "Chick" Evans. Renown as southpaw passer, runner, and blocker plus pass receiver in Huskie T-formation. Described as "...clever N. I. quarterback whose brilliant signal-calling has baffled enemy defenses" by The Northern Illinois student newspaper (1941). "He runs the famous reverse and also was the main catcher of passes." Honored on NIU Centennial All-Decade Team (1999). Starred on undefeated (4-0-0 league won-lost-tied record) Little 19 Conference football kingpins as frosh (1938) and loop co-champions as senior (1941). Selected on AP College Division All-State (1939), Honorable Mention All-Little 19 (1940), and First-Team All-Little 19 (1941) grid squads. Finished runner-up in conference scoring derby with 18 points (three touchdowns) in senior year. Selected team captain and 201 Club team Most Valuable Player after junior campaign. Two-time recipient of Cullen Keefe Award as Northern Illinois MVP (1940-41). Awarded varsity letters on elevens that combined for 24-7-3 overall record?6-1-1 (1938), 5-2-1 (1939), 6-3-0 (1940), and 7-1-1 (1941). Played first base and outfield and lettered twice in baseball (1940-41). Served country as U. S. Air Force pilot and retired as lieutenant colonel. Flew B-17 during World War II, B-29 in Korean War, and C-23 cargo plane in Vietnam. Three-sport (football, basketball, and track) standout at Geneva High School (Deceased).
