NFF National Scholar-Athletes
John Easterbrook started for the University of Illinois from 1958-60. A talented quarterback, he proved his skills during his senior season when he posted 40 passes for 538 yards. Easterbrook was strong on the ground as well, rushing for 456 career yards. In 1960, the five-foot-nine player was named the MVP of the Copper Bowl. A versatile athlete, he also played on the Illini basketball team for two years before deciding to focus solely on football.
The three-time letterman boasted an impressive 3.69 GPA, and he received the freshman scholastic award his first year at Illinois. He belonged to two honorary activity and scholarship societies called Sachem and Ma-Wan-Da. Easterbrook also served as the vice president of his fraternity and the treasurer for the student association. He graduated with a bachelor’s in commerce and law, and he stayed at Illinois to obtain his law degree.
Easterbrook’s relationship with football continued after his graduation, and he coached college football for 13 years, with jobs at Idaho, Oregon State, Illinois and Wyoming. He took a break from athletics for a few years to serve as the president and CEO of American National Bank in Wyoming. Easterbrook eventually returned to the sports world as the associate athletics director at Fresno State, which led him to the role of athletics director at Cal State Fullerton in 1994. Easterbrook retired in 2001, and he moved with his wife to Palm Springs, Calif.
