General | October 7
DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University Athletics Hall of Famer John Wrenn passed away earlier this week at the age of 99. A 2004 Hall of Fame inductee, Wrenn coached football, wrestling and tennis during his time at NIU.
Born in Chicago, where he attended Leo High School, Wrenn was a member of the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he attended the University of Illinois, where he lettered as a guard on the football team in 1946 and '47. Upon graduation from Illinois, Wrenn became a teacher and coach at East Moline High School, never posting a losing season in 11 years as head coach of the East Moline football team.
In 1960, Wrenn came to NIU as an assistant football coach under Howard Fletcher, working alongside his fellow Hall of Fame coach until 1968. During his tenure with the football program, Wrenn coached both the offensive and defensive lines, while specializing on the defensive side of the ball. Wrenn was part of the NIU football program during a period of tremendous success, as the Huskies won three Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles (1963, '64 and '65) and made three Mineral Water Bowl appearances (1962, '63, '65).
The Huskies reached the pinnacle of the NCAA's College Division during the 1963 season as they were crowned national champions following a perfect 10-0 campaign.
Wrenn's time with the Huskie football program included coaching 1968 NFL Draft selection Tom Rosenow along with NFL free agents Lynn McCann, Dave Mulderink, Bob Stark and Roger Stark, as well as 1963 Little All-America Bob Evans.
In 1974, Wrenn returned to the NIU football staff for one season under Jerry Ippoliti, working with the Huskie defensive ends.
Along with his football coaching duties, Wrenn guided the NIU wrestling program for two years from 1960-62, mentoring Ray Guzak and Roy Conrad to NAIA National Championships in 1961. He also coached All-American Bill Kontos and future All-American Mel Schmidt. In 1972, Wrenn led the Huskie wrestling program to a 7-2-1 dual-meet record and a second-place finish in the IIAC.
Wrenn also served as head coach of the Huskie men's tennis program from 1970-73 and 1974-76. During his time leading Huskie tennis, Wrenn mentored fellow NIU Hall of Famers Tim and Tom Gullikson, who both earned multiple NCAA Championship appearances during their time at NIU and went on to highly successful professional tennis careers.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held in January 2022, on or around the date of what would have been his 100th birthday. Sympathy cards can be directed to Bette Wrenn, 7722 Fairway Woods Drive, Sarasota, Florida, 34238-2864.
