The road from Carlinville High School to the Niles West Hall of Fame has been a neverending adventure. After high school (football and track) I was encouraged to go to Eastern Illinois University by two high school coaches who were Eastern Illinois University graduates. After one season of football, I realized that a 145 lb. halfback wouldn’t make it in college, and so I
tried out for the gymnastic team. I had seen a gymnastics demonstration at Carlinville High School my senior year, and it stuck in my mind. Once I started, it was a year round
effort: fall practice, winter competition, and spring demonstration team.

I was lucky enough to be on the first competitive gymnastic team at Eastern under Coach Bob Hussey for 4 years. With no gymnastics background, I earned three varsity letters. During summer school in 1963, I saw a job opening at Niles West in physical education and gymnastics. I borrowed a car, drove to Skokie, had an interview, signed a contract, and drove back to Eastern in one day. It was one of the most significant days of my life.

Jim Phipps (another Eastern graduate and Niles West Athletic Hall of Fame member), and assistant principal Dr. George Gilluly deserve my thanks for giving me the opportunity to teach at Niles West. I was part of a great physical education program and a great athletic program.

My first coaching assignment was assistant coach in gymnastics with head coach John Burkel. Years later I was the head gymnastics coach when John Burkel became athletic director. I also coached freshman football with Mike Basrak.

When boys gymnastics season was moved from the winter season to the spring season, I started coaching cross-country with Judi Sloan, and assistant indoor and outdoor track with my wife Jean Armour.

During my 38 years at Niles West, there were many great things along the way, but nothing more life changing than meeting Jean Goodwin.

Niles West and Morton Grove have been home for many years. Our daughter Mindy, who teaches here, now is joined by Cody, a freshman and Jake a soon to be freshman in two years.

As someone once said, “I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.”