Hall of Fame
Position: Quarterback
Years: 1960-1963
Place of Birth: Mt. Prospect, IL
Date of Birth: Feb 8, 1942
Place of Death: Spring Grove, IL
Date of Death: May 27, 2026
Jersey Number: 11
Height: 6-1
Weight: 178
High School: Arlington Heights, IL (Arlington HS)
A four-year letterman and three-year starter, Bork thrived in Coach Howard Fletcher's innovative "Shotgun Spread" offense. In 1963, he became the first player in college football history to pass for more than 3,000 yards in a season while establishing more than 16 national records.
Bork led the nation in passing and total offense in both 1962 and 1963. As a junior, he completed 232 passes for 2,506 yards before surpassing those numbers as a senior with 244 completions for 3,077 yards. During his career, he threw for 60 touchdowns and amassed 6,782 passing yards on 577 completions.
Under Bork's leadership, the Huskies posted an 8-2 record in 1962 before completing a perfect 10-0 campaign in 1963. The historic season culminated with a 26-14 victory over Southwest Missouri in the Mineral Water Bowl and the College Division national championship.
A First Team Little All-American in both 1962 and 1963, Bork also earned Associated Press and United Press International All-America honorable mention recognition in 1963. A two-time Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) Most Valuable Player, he garnered First Team All-IIAC honors and team MVP recognition in both 1962 and 1963. He also became the first Northern Illinois player to receive Heisman Trophy votes, earning the distinction following his remarkable 1963 season. That year, he was selected to play in both the Challenge Bowl and the North-South Shrine Bowl.
Bork's impact on the program was acknowledged during the construction of Huskie Stadium shortly after the 1963 season with the facilitating being cited as "The House That Bork Built." During that same magical campaign, the NIU marching band famously formed the letters B-O-R-K on the field while playing "You Gotta Be a Football Hero" in tribute to the quarterback's exploits.
More than six decades later, Bork still ranks among the most accomplished players in Northern Illinois history. He continues to hold numerous school passing records, including career completion percentage (64 percent), single-season touchdown passes (32 in 1963), single-game completions (43 against Central Michigan on Nov. 9, 1963) and single-game touchdown passes (seven against Wisconsin-Whitewater on Sept. 14, 1963).
A gifted all-around athlete, Bork also excelled on the basketball court. He earned team MVP honors while garnering First Team All-IIAC and IIAC Player of the Year recognition.
In addition to becoming the first Northern Illinois player inducted into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, Bork was enshrined in the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1983, and his No. 11 jersey was retired in 1996.
Following his collegiate career, Bork played for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League from 1964-67.
Born on Feb. 8, 1942, in Mount Prospect, Illinois, Bork attended Arlington High School in Arlington Heights before enrolling at Northern Illinois.
Bork passed away May 27th, 2026, at the age of 84.
