Members
Inductee
GILL, MAX “BUP”
GILL, MAX “BUP”
Born on December 14, 1960
Gary, Indiana
November 29, 2019, after a long, hard and courageous fight against ALS.
Inducted On
May 1, 2022
Location Inducted
Merrillville, Indiana
Region Number
1
Merrillville High School
Player
Merrillville High School
1979
Bup attended Merrillville High School from 1976-1979 where he participated in wrestling and football. The Pirates were 19-2 during Bup's final two seasons. He was named All-Duneland Conference, All-Area, Indiana All-State and selected to play in the IFCA North/South All-Star Game.
Northern Illinois University
Bup started 8 games as an offensive guard in his freshman year at NIU. As a sophomore, playing for Coach Bill Mallory he was moved back to DT. He led the Huskies in tackles for loss for three consecutive years and was at one time the NIU career tackles for loss leader and still ranks among the programs to 10 at #9. Before his senior season, he was voted team captain. When the season had finished, he was named MVP. He was also chosen First-Team All-Mid American conference and Honorable Mention Associated Press All-American.
He was the first NIU player nominated for the prestigious Vern Smith Award (now the Jefferson Trophy), symbolic of the MAC's most outstanding player. Bup was voted to the All-Time Huskie Stadium Team in 1995, the NIU Football Centennial All-Century squad in 1999 and the Huskie Stadium Top 50 Players in 2015.
Bup is survived by his wife Sara, son Max III, Evan (Rachel), Gavin, Garrett, daugter Emma and granddaughter Sadie.
After leaving NIU in 1983, Bup was a free agent with the Detroit Lions and three USFL teams, the Michigan Panthers, Denver Gold and Memphis Showboats between 1983-85.