Members
Inductee
LAYDEN, F. L. “MIKE”
LAYDEN, F. L. “MIKE”
Born on August 25, 1913
Davenport, IA
November 16, 2007.
Inducted On
April 30, 1977
Location Inducted
South Bend, IN
Region Number
2
South Bend
Merit - Official
Davenport
1931
Named to All-State football team as a halfback and captain 1930 and to All-State basketball team as a center 1930 and 1931; team won state football championship 1930; set Iowa high and low hurdle records.
University of Notre Dame
1936
3-year Monogram winner in football and 2 in track; Honorable Mention All-American 1935; played in Chicago Tribune All-Star Game 1936; received Byron V. Konaley Award for Scholarship and Leadership as an athlete 1936; played halfback for his coach and brother, Elmer Layden (Four Horsemen fame), who was 10 years older; tied indoor and outdoor high hurdle school records.
Was general public relations supervisor for Indiana Bell Telephone for many years; served as ABC's network sideline liaison for 10 years; was active in many community organizations and service clubs in Evansville, Kokomo, and Indianapolis.
First wife, Jane (deceased); second wife, Mary Ellen (deceased); children, Susan (deceased), Peter, and Sara; 6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren.
Merit Contributor - Official: Football official in Indiana for high school, college, and Big Ten Conference 1936-1976, mostly as a referee; at time of his retirement from officiating, had more active years of officiating than any other official.
Officiating Honors: Officiated Rose Bowl game January 1, 1956; Official of the Year 1956 by the Rockne Club; officiated in Refrigerator Bowl in December 1954; was considered "Dean" of Big Ten officials.
Officiating Honors: Officiated Rose Bowl game January 1, 1956; Official of the Year 1956 by the Rockne Club; officiated in Refrigerator Bowl in December 1954; was considered "Dean" of Big Ten officials.