Hall of Fame
Mike Berentes, a product of Rock Fall, Ill., entered the university in the fall of 1967 and competed four years in football and track. He started his football career as a running back and led the team in rushing as a sophomore. Then, as a junior, he was switched to split end. Despite playing in only six games that year because of a preseason injury, he led the team in receiving and earned All-Conference honors. As a senior he led the team in receptions (48), yardage (969) and was second in scoring (57 points). He set five school records and teamed up with quarterback Don Cummings to establish nine school passing records. As a senior he was first-team All-MIAA, first-team All-Region and honorable mention All-American. In 1969 and 1970 the Bulldogs were conference co-champions. During his four-year track and field career, he was a sprinter, hurdler, relay member, long jumper and pole-vaulter, placing in at least one event at four conference meets. In his senior year of track Mr. Berentes competed in his first decathlon, finishing second to Bruce Jenner and qualifying for the NCAA College Division championships. He finished sixth in the national meet and earned All-American recognition. After his graduation in 1967, Mr. Berentes coached football, track and other sports at Harlan High School in Loves Park, Ill., for five years; Dixon, Ill., for five years; and his hometown of Rock Falls, Ill., from 1980-89. He was named Area Coach of the Year at Rock Falls in 1985 when he took his team to the Illinois playoffs. In 1989 he moved to Freeport, Ill., where he was the athletic director for 19 high school sports and six junior high school sports.
