Football | May 28
DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University Athletics Hall of Famer George Bork passed away at the age of 84. A two-sport standout at NIU, Bork was the first Huskie inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
A legendary figure in Huskie football lore, Bork was a pioneer of the modern passing game, becoming the first quarterback in NCAA history to throw for more than 3,000 yards while setting at least 16 national records.
Following an impressive junior season in 1962 when Bork threw for 2,506 yards and 22 touchdowns, Bork led the Huskies into the next stratosphere in 1963 as he threw for 3,077 yards and 32 touchdowns while guiding NIU to a perfect 10-0 season, a Mineral Water Bowl victory and the College Division national championship.
During his four-year Huskie football career between 1960-63, Bork amassed 577 pass completions for 6,782 yards and 60 touchdowns. The Mount Prospect, Ill., native and Arlington High School product earned honorable mention AP and UPI All-America honors in 1963, and was a First Team Little All-American in 1962 and '63. He also earned Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) Player of the Year honors in 1962 and '63, along with first team all-conference and team MVP recognition. He became the first Huskie to garner Heisman Trophy votes in 1963, while also participating in the Challenge Bowl and North-South Shrine Bowl that season.
Bork still holds numerous NIU passing records, including career completion percentage (64 percent), single-season touchdown passes (32 in 1963), single-game completions (43 on Nov. 9, 1963 vs. Central Michigan) and single-game touchdowns (seven on Sept. 14, 1963 vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater).
Shortly following that magical 1963 season, NIU Athletics began construction on Huskie Stadium, earning the venue the moniker of "The House the Bork Built."
Bork went on to play in the Canadian Football League for the Montreal Alouettes from 1964-67.
In addition to his exploits on the gridiron, Bork also starred on the basketball court for the Huskies netting 1,114 points in three seasons. He earned team MVP honors as well as First Team All-IIAC and IIAC Player of the Year recognition.
Bork, who was named to NIU's All-Century Team in both football and basketball, was inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1983, his football jersey number 11 was retired in 1996, and he became the first Huskie enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
Information regarding a celebration of life for Bork will be forthcoming.
