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A Look at the 2007 MSU Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees
Sept. 5, 2007 Michigan State University will induct 11 members into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 8 prior to the Spartans' home football game against Bowling Green. The Class of 2007 includes: Richard Frey (cross country/track & field) from the Pioneer Era; Shirley Cook (basketball/field hockey/track & field), Jim Ellis (football), George Guerre (football) and Dean Look (football/baseball) from the Early Era; Marshall Dill (track & field), Tom Ross (hockey), Scott Skiles (basketball) and Val Sterk Kemper (volleyball) from the Contemporary Era; and Grady Peninger (wrestling) and George Perles (football) from the former coach/administrator category. Throughout the week, msuspartans.com will take an in-depth look at each of this year's inductees. Today Shirley Cook, Jim Ellis, George Guerre and Grady Peninger are featured. Shirley Cook Shirley Cook was one of MSU's pioneer female student-athletes, participating in field hockey, basketball and track and field during her time at Michigan State from 1955-58. Cook's love of Michigan State was evident when she founded the Women's Varsity Alumni Club. To endure Cook's legacy at MSU, an endowed scholarship was created in her memory to promote women's athletics. Cook passed away in 1988. "Shirley's blood ran green," said Cheryl Jenkins, a longtime friend of Cook. "She would have been very honored and excited, and probably pleasantly surprised, by her induction into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame. She was very humble and didn't give herself credit for her accomplishments; she just did them because she loved Michigan State. MSU meant a lot to her, and everything she did was for her love of the school. She was definitely proud of the things she started, but for her, it was always about Michigan State. "Shirley loved women's sports and thought women could do a lot more than what they were already involved in at the time. She was independent and knew women could do anything they wanted if they put their mind to it." Jim Ellis Jim Ellis was destined for greatness at Michigan State. In his first career game against Oregon State in 1951, he intercepted three passes and returned three punts for 87 yards. From there, he would become the first Spartan to receive All-America honors in consecutive seasons as he was named to the Chicago Tribune Players All-America Defensive Team as a safety in 1951 and 1952. His six interceptions in 1951 is the eighth most in Michigan State single-season history. While Ellis was a fierce defender, he was known for his speed on returning kicks. He stills ranks fourth in the Spartan record books with 619 career punt return yards and his 305 punt return yards in 1951 ranks seventh best in a single-season. He returned 10 kicks an average of 24 yards and turned in a 79-yard effort in the 1951 game at Michigan, then the second longest in MSU history. He closed out his career as MSU's all-time leader in kickoff return yards and punt return yards.
"My favorite thing to do was running back kicks," said Ellis, who returned punts for touchdowns in back-to-back games vs. Penn State (57 yards) and Pittsburgh (54) as a sophomore. "That was probably how I got my reputation. I guess that's what I looked forward to the most. That, and taking back interceptions, those were definitely the best feelings." In 1952, Ellis recovered four fumbles and was credited with seven touchdown-saving tackles. In addition, he picked off a pair of passes while returning 17 punts for a total of 148 yards, including a 59-yarder for a score against Syracuse. Ellis said he's most proud of his team's record during his career at Michigan State - a staggering 27-1. He was captain of the 1953 Big Ten Championship team, and sent his head coach, Biggie Munn, out a winner with MSC's 28-20 victory over UCLA in the 1954 Rose Bowl. "The best feeling I had in my career was winning the Rose Bowl in my last game," said Ellis. "It was the biggest trip the team made, all the way to California, and with the prestige of the game and winning like we did, it was a special moment. One of my good friends, Ellis Duckett, blocked a punt in that game and ran it back for a touchdown, a play I'll never forget. "Those teams were so special - we only lost one game my whole time there," Ellis continued. "Everyone on the team got along quite well. Some of my closest teammates were (Ellis) Duckett, Don McAuliffe and Leroy Bolden. Ellis cannot say enough good things about his coach at Michigan State, Biggie Munn. "Biggie recruited me up in Saginaw," said Ellis. "He would do anything for you. The thing I remember most about him was that he was an outstanding person. Next to my father, he was the most important person in my life, and I considered him a friend." Ellis said he is more than honored to be included in the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame. "I would say this is one of the best feelings in my entire life," he said. "From the first day I stepped on campus, I always loved Michigan State. When the Hall of Fame first came about, I dreamed of being inducted. It really is a dream come true." George Guerre George Guerre's journey to gridiron glory at Michigan State is nothing short of remarkable. After starring at Flint Central in high school, Guerre earned his freshman numerals in 1942, at of all places, the University of Michigan. In 1943, Guerre enlisted in the Army Air Corps, serving from 1943-46 and earning the rank of First Lieutenant. A navigator on B-17 missions during World War II over Italy and Africa, he earned numerous medals during his time of service, including the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and a Unit Citation with two Battle Stars.
Guerre enrolled at Michigan State in the spring of 1946. Entering the fourth game of the 1946 season at Penn State, Guerre was still listed as a backup. Early in the third quarter, Guerre broke through for 52 yards and MSC's first touchdown, sparking the 19-16 comeback win. Known as "Little Dynamite" due to his 5-5, 157-pound frame, Guerre torched the Nittany Lions for 152 yards on 14 carries. His performance was described by one Penn State reporter as the most spectacular one-man show in Beaver Field history. After his breakthrough game at Penn State in 1946, he recorded five more career 100-yard rushing games, including a single-game best 180 yards against Marquette. He finished the season 13th in the nation in total offense, gaining 1,029 total yards, and was named team MVP. Guerre went on to lead the Spartans in rushing for three-straight seasons and his 6.75 yards per carry is the best rushing average in school history. Guerre was well on his way to another great year in 1947, gaining 354 yards on 47 carries (7.5 avg.), before suffering an injury midway through the season. He came back as a senior in 1948 to lead the team again with 734 yards rushing while scoring five touchdowns. "The thing I cherish most about Michigan State are all the teammates and people I met over the years," Guerre said. "Those friendships have lasted a lifetime. I still get together with a number of teammates from those days, including Lynn Chandnois and Sonny Grandelius. We all got to play for a great coach in Biggie Munn. It was an honor to play for him - he was an outstanding coach and an outstanding person. Every one of his players respected him and what he accomplished. "What a tremendous honor to be included in the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame," Guerre continued. "When I got the call from Ron Mason, I was completely surprised, and even had to catch my breath. I've been around a long time and have served MSU for many years, so I'm very appreciative and grateful for this honor." Grady Peninger Grady Peninger's name will forever be linked with excellence as he became the first coach in Big Ten history to win seven consecutive conference titles in any sport. Spanning 1966-72, Peninger's wrestling teams dominated the Big Ten, typically known as the best wrestling conference in the nation. His Spartans won it all in 1967, claiming the school's first and only National Championship in wrestling. During his tenure, MSU was a mainstay on the national scene, placing in the top five at the national meet on six occasions. His wrestlers earned 10 NCAA titles, 40 Big Ten titles and All-America honors 54 times. Peninger was inducted in the U.S. Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1987.
"You know, they say if you recruit enough good kids, it makes you a good coach, and I was lucky to have so many good young men wrestle at MSU," Peninger said. "You work hard all of your life, and then something like this comes along, and it really makes you appreciate it that much more. I can't tell you how proud and thankful I am of this honor. Even though winning the national title was special for Peninger, he is a true Spartan in the sense that his favorite moment was beating Michigan. "We had some great moments at MSU, but it was toughest to win nationals," recalled Peninger. "To beat all of those quality teams at one event was truly a special feeling. But probably the best feeling was when we beat Michigan in the final dual at home in 1968. We had to win the last match to win the dual, and Jeff Smith pinned former NCAA champion Dave Porter to give us the win (17-14). It was the first time we had beaten Michigan since 1961. I couldn't believe it when it happened." After the victory over Michigan, Peninger told the Lansing State Journal: "This was better than winning the NCAA championship. It's been a long drought since we beat them the last time." |
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