Members
Inductee
THORNTON, LES
THORNTON, LES
Born on June 8, 1936
Decorah, IA
June 27, 2006.
Inducted On
May 16, 1993
Location Inducted
Griffith, IN
Region Number
1
Griffith
Coach
DeMotte, IA
1955
4-year football letterman; 3-year basketball letterman; 2-year track letterman; team captain in football and basketball; played on undefeated football team 1953.
Ball State Teachers College; Valparaiso University 1964; Indiana University MS 1967;
1967
Played freshman football at Ball State before entering the Navy.
Wife, Fern; children, James and Brian.
Coaching Experience: Head football coach 28 years, with 2 years at DeMotte HS, 8 years at North Judson, IN, and 18 years at Griffith, IN, with a career record of 191-92-1; also coached track and basketball; served as AD at North Judson 1972-1973, 1974-1975.
Coaching Honors: North All-Star assistant coach 1978, 1982; IFCA Region 1 Coach of the Year 1991, 1992; Northwest Indiana Area Coach of the Year 1976, 1977, 1981, 1992; had 7 Conference Championships, 5 Sectional Championships, and 1 Regional Championship; 4 teams finished regular season undefeated.
Outstanding Players Coached: Charles Smrt, Indiana University; Ed Konopasek and Mike Willis, Ball State; Scott Bridges, Indiana State; and, Neil Miklusak, Wisconsin.
Coaching Honors: North All-Star assistant coach 1978, 1982; IFCA Region 1 Coach of the Year 1991, 1992; Northwest Indiana Area Coach of the Year 1976, 1977, 1981, 1992; had 7 Conference Championships, 5 Sectional Championships, and 1 Regional Championship; 4 teams finished regular season undefeated.
Outstanding Players Coached: Charles Smrt, Indiana University; Ed Konopasek and Mike Willis, Ball State; Scott Bridges, Indiana State; and, Neil Miklusak, Wisconsin.