Knox College Athletics

Bill Senn who entered Knox with the 1926 class received his degree with the Class of 1931.  His college career was interrupted by his playing professional football.  He was with the Chicago Bears (1926), New York Giants (1932-33) and the St. Louis Gunners (1933-34).
His achievements while at Knox are many:

1.  3 letters in football- captain of the 1925 team- named twice to both the Little 19 and Mid-West All- Conference teams of 1924 and 1925.
2. Received numerous Honorable Mentions on several All-American teams in 1925.
3. Holds the following records in Knox football:

1.  Most yards rushing in a career…2,276
2. Most yards rushing in a season...1,136
3. Most touchdowns, 3 year career…25
4. Tied for most touchdowns in a season…13
5. Most career points…193
6. Most points in a season…104
7. Most touchdowns rushing…19
8. Highest rushing average per game…119.6 yards
9. Longest kickoff return…98 yards
10. Most field goals per game…2
11. Longest Interception return…100 yards
12. Longest dropkick…53 yards

4.  3 letters in track:
   1. Set records in the 100 (9.9 seconds) and 220 (21.5 seconds) yards dashes.
   2. High point man during his sophomore year.
   3. Member of the mile and medley relay record setting teams.

From 1934 to 1935 Bill was screen tested in Hollywood for the movie role of Tarzan.  Due to his relatively small stature, he was not selected.

In 1935 he went into partnership in the dairy business in Canton, IL with his brother-in-law.

From 1941 to 1944 he taught and coached at Urbana High School.  During this time he also earned his Master’s Degree at the University of Illinois.

He served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theatre Special Services Recreation Department as a civilian athletic consultant.  Following this he returned to Urbana High School where again he taught and coached from 1947 to 1952.

Bill left the teaching profession in 1953 to accept a position as a sales representative with Midland Laboratories in Dubuque, Iowa.  From 1957 to 1961 he was in Macomb, his home town, where he served as a city alderman.  IN 1971 he was with the Chemical Maintenance Corporation in Urbana until 1973 when he retired.

Bill Senn passed away September 5, 1973.  He is survived by his widow Nadine and daughter, Linda Senn Mason.