Football

During his childhood, Dave Kocourek lived in a basement apartment and attended Hiawatha Elementary School. He graduated from Morton East in 1955. At Morton, Kocourek won 14 varsity letters in football, basketball and track. In 1955, Kocourek was All-State in football and basketball. In basketball, he was the second-leading scorer (15.7 ppg) in the Suburban League. In track, his skill earned him the nickname “can’t catch em Kocourek”. In 1955, he was one of only 50 All-American Scholars in the entire country.

In college, Kocourek played football and basketball at the University of Wisconsin.

He played professional football with the San Diego Chargers from 1960 through 1965, for the Miami Dolphins in 1966, and with the Oakland Raiders in 1967 and ‘68. During his career, Kocourek played in 4 Pro Bowls and the 1968 Super Bowl (II) with the Oakland Raiders. Kocourek also played in seven AFL Championship Games, which is the now-defunct league’s record.

He died in 2013.

Right after Super Bowl 50, Morton received a golden football from the NFL. This football was sent to the high school of all athletes who played in a Super Bowl. You can see the football in the Morton East principal's office today.

Ron was born and raised in Lyons, Illinois. He graduated from Morton in 1957. At Morton, Ron played football, basketball and baseball. His senior year, Ron was named to the first team Illinois All-State Football Team and selected for the High School All-American Football Team.

Ron got a scholarship to play football at the University of Wisconsin where in his senior year he won the Sammy Baugh Trophy as the quarterback with a total yards passed.

He was drafted into the NFL in the third round by the Los Angeles Rams. He played the 1962 season with the Rams but lost his chance as star quarterback against Roman Gabriel, who is now in the NFL Hall of Fame. Ron was also drafted by the new American Football League by the Houston Oilers.

After 1962, Ron signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League.

He finished his football career with the Charleston Rockets of the United Football League.

Ron passed away in 2012.

Bill grew up in Berwyn and graduated Morton in 1947. He played football, wrestled, and swam. He twice finished third in the 165-pound division at the state wrestling meet. Bill received a football scholarship to attend the University of Illinois where he played football, wrestled and was a nationally ranked pole vaulter.

As an 182-pound, offensive center Bill lettered three years at Illinois and was the team captain his senior year and earned all-Big Ten honors, as Illinois went 7-2 and was ranked in the top ten in the nation. Bill was named to the Associated Press All-American First Team. Illinois football coach Pete Elliot said Bill “is the finest player he ever worked with. He’s a hustler and a perfectionist.” Bill was also an outstanding wrestler at Illinois and nationally ranked pole vaulter.

Bill returned to Morton High School and College and coached football, wrestling and track. Bill retired in 1994.” Bill Vohaska was my football coach, and I would have run through a wall for him”.(Dwight Pawlowski 1962).

Jim was born Dec. 21, 1922 in Berwyn, Ill., and went to St. Leonard’s. He was all – conference football and baseball player at Morton and All-State in Football. Jim got a football scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin. His coach at Wisconsin was Harry Stuhldreher, who was the QB for the four horsemen of Notre Dame legend. Wisconsin should have been national champs in 1942 when Jim was a soph, with his roommate “Crazy Legs” Hirsch. Ohio State edged them out even the Wis. Beat them 24-7. Wisconsin lost to Iowa on a sloppy, rainy day 6-0. Jim also played baseball at Wisconsin in center field with a .385 batting average. At the end of 1942, Jim went into the Army and made it back to Wisconsin for the 1946 and 1947 season.

Jim returned to Morton to teach and coach. He was a very successful football coach. His 1964 and 1969 teams were undefeated.

Mike lived on 1800 block of 58th Court. He was of French Canadian descent. Mike graduated Morton in 1961. He was named Illinois All-State Football and the All-American Football team his senior year. Mike also was an outstanding wrestler and a shot putter on the track team while at Morton. Mike received a scholarship to play football at the University Wisconsin. Bad knees forced Mike to shorten his football career. Mike went on to a successful contraction career. Mike lit up any room with his magnetic personally. While in Champaign celebrating his All-State award, he met and partied with Dick Butkus, All-State Fullback from CVS, and formed a lifelong friendship.

Born and raised in Lyons, Bob Deegan graduated from Morton in 1957.

He excelled in football and made the Illinois All-State Football Team, along with classmate Ron Miller, who was the quarterback for the All-State First Team. Bob earned a football scholarship to attend the University of Minnesota, where he played for three years alongside Bob Prawdzik, another Morton grad.

Deegan and Prawdzik played in the 1962 Rose Bowl against the UCLA Bruins, which they won 21-3.

In the 1961-62 season, Minnesota played a game against the University of Missouri in which Deegan and Prawzdik were the starting ends for Minnesota and Jim and John Sevick, also Morton grads, were the starting ends on the Missouri team.

After graduating from Minnesota, Bob played in the Canadian Football League with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a defensive end.

Jim was born July 31, 1941, and lived at 6932 w. 30th Street in Berwyn. His mother and father were both Czech. He attended St. Leonard’s grade school as a young child, and later went on to Morton High School.

Jim was born July 31, 1941, and lived at 6932 w. 30th Street in Berwyn. His mother and father were both Czech. He attended St. Leonard’s grade school as a young child, and later went on to Morton High School.

Jim played on the football team and had a stellar athletic career. He started in every single football game for his junior and senior year, like a Mustang, he played outside linebacker on defense as well as a starting halfback. He led Morton in tackles for two years and scored three touchdowns at Highland Park his senior year. During his time at Morton, Jim was also Vice President of the Letterman’s Club. He played with other memorable Mustangs, such as Art Siml, Don Persern and Bob Prawdzik.

Ken Geiger was his favorite coach.

Who is Lee Mungai?

Lee was 100% Italian. He was raised in the 1500 block of Maple Avenue in Berwyn. Lee went to Jefferson Elementary school.
Lee was all – state in football and got a scholarship to the University of Missouri where he played four years. He was also all – state in baseball as a catcher, batting. 425 his senior year at Morton. Lee was an outstanding wrestler and won the Illinois High School Heavyweight weight division championship in 1962. This three-sports athlete was one of the nicest guys I ever met.

Who is Ray Marcin?

Ray Marcin was born June 22, 1944 and grew up in Cicero living at 54th and 23rd place. He attended Sherman and Wilson grade schools. Ray’s mother was Bohemian and his father Polish. His favorite coaches were Ken Geiger (football), Dick Kucera (baseball), Wally Johnson (baseball) and the legendary Jim Rexilius (track).

Being a well-rounded athlete, Ray received much recognition for his impressive athletic performance. As a junior, he was a helped his fellow Mustangs win the 1961 Baseball State Championship. During his senior year at Morton, Ray was an All State Athlete and a High School All American in football, and an all-conference in Baseball. While on the track team, Ray was a shot-putter and placed 3rd in the 1962 State Track Meet with a toss of 59’9”.

After graduating from Morton, Ray received a football scholarship to the University of Wisconsin. From 1963 to 1965, he played starting offensive guard and was a linebacker on the university’s team, where he received the prestigious 1965 Savage Award for “Outstanding Defensive Player”.

Ray currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin with his wife Judy.

Who is Larry Mack?

Larry Mack was born July 23, 1943 and his family resided in the Grant Works area of Cicero, present-day area of 50th Avenue and 16th Street. He was the fourth Mack to attend Morton High School, his father Ray, along with his two brothers were also Morton graduates.

Larry was a proud Mustang who played on the football, basketball, and baseball team throughout his high school career. He received several recognitions during his time at Morton; All Surbaban League End for football, All Suburban League, All Chicago and All State Illinois for basketball, and helped Morton win the 1961 State Champoinshop for baseball. Larry was also featured in
an article in Sports Illustrated; "Faces in the Crowd" (June 19, 1961).

After graduating from Morton, Larry went onto the U.S. Navy Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he graduated in 1965. During his time there he was captain of his basketball team and played on the varsity baseball team.

After two years in the U.S. Navy, Larry became a Naval Aviator in 1967 and flew a P-3 Orion Sub-Chaser for three years until his leave in 1970.

Lee was 100% Italian. He was raised in the 1500 block of Maple Avenue in Berwyn. Lee went to Jefferson Elementary school.

Lee was all – state in football and got a scholarship to the University of Missouri where he played four years. He was also all – state in baseball as a catcher, batting. 425 his senior year at Morton. Lee was an outstanding wrestler and won the Illinois High School Heavyweight weight division championship in 1962. This three-sports athlete was one of the nicest guys I ever met.

Front Row: Steve Kelly, Howie Longo, Ted Zimmerman, Dan Salerno, Quentin Sisco, Bob Considine, Angelo Rinchiuso, Charles Amico, Tom Gregorie, Chuck Soumar, Louie Avena, Mike Pavlik / / Second Row: Russ Bartos, Rich Chiba, Bill Izzi, Craig Baldacci, Mike Ptak, Jack Hode, Ken Klimes, Russ Gassaway, Bob Trombetta, Joe Kestian, Gary Kukla, Al Regal, Ken Luschinski, Coach Jim Kraus / / Back Row: Head Coach Jim Regan, Coach Bob Reynolds, Trainer Fred Fahey, Rich Alfirevic, Bob Kolar, Stan Pieta, Ron Fiala, Frank Janata, Darryl Coburn, Gene Pouliot, Jeff Falk, John Unterfranz, Coach Len Ruzycki, Coach Frank Duchon

In 1969, Illinois did not have an official state championship for high school football teams.
In the previous seasons, Morton led the title for most won games, they were 6-2; winning their last six games of the season.

The class of 1969 witnessed a teacher’s strike that led to a forfeit against Riverside Brookfield High School due to the lack of practice for three entire weeks. As a result, players banded together and practiced independently.

The Morton 1969 Football team set 13 amazing records, such as most touchdowns in a game and in one season, most completed passes, most interceptions by a defensive player, and most points per game (29 points), along with other records.The 1969 Football team was ranked #4 in state, which was an impressive title considering they only played 7 games.

The head coach for this record breaking team was Hall of Famer Jim Regan.