Hall of Fame Profile: John DeBoer
9/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 29, 2004
Sept. 23 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Greg Lotzar (Baseball)
Sept. 24 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Dick Horgan (Golf)
Sept. 25 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Marcy Weston (Volleyball Coach)
Sept. 27 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Carla (Sterk) Fles (Women's Basketball)
Sept. 28 -- Hall of Fame Profile: Dave Nelson (Men's Basketball)
Sept. 29 -- Hall of Fame Profile: John DeBoer (Football)
Sept. 30 -- Hall of Fame Profile: 1974 Football Team
John DeBoer was a football player in a basketball body.
Long and lean at 6-4 and 185 pounds, DeBoer established himself as one of the premier wide receivers in Central Michigan University history.
The Grosse Pointe South High product will be inducted into the CMU Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 1, at a banquet at the Comfort Inn Conference Center. Tickets are $30 each and may be purchased by contacting the CMU ticket office at 1-888-FIRE UP2.
Also being inducted that evening will be Dick Horgan (golf), Greg Lotzar (baseball),Dave Nelson (basketball), Carla (Sterk) Fles (basketball), Marcy Weston (volleyball coach) and the 1974 football team (Division II national champions).
Blessed with great hands and tremendous jumping ability, DeBoer caught 93 passes in his career for 1,975 and 19 touchdowns -- a mark that is still tied for tops in Chippewa annals.
He posted those numbers from 1982-85 during an era when CMU featured the most prolific running back in school history in Curtis Adams (4,162 career yards).
John DeBoer  | |
Deromedi, now CMU's athletics director, looks back on his talented receiver with fond memories.
"John was a big-play guy," Deromedi said. "He used his basketball skills to great advantage and came up with a lot of key third-down receptions."
An outstanding student, as well, DeBoer averaged 21.2 yards per reception for his career and drew plenty of plaudits for his efforts.
John was first team Academic All-American in 1984 and third team All-American as chosen by the Football News. He was also first team All-Mid-American Conference in 1984 and likely would have been again in 1985 if an injury didn't cut his season short.
John was also a first team Academic All-Conference choice for three years.
DeBoer now lives in Grosse Pointe Farms and has become a successful businessman in the Detroit area.