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Scope and Contents From the Series: INTRODUCTION The two interviews in this series were conducted in 1996 by Dr. Glen A. Gildemeister, Director of the Regional History Center, as part of his research for a Castle on a Hill, a pictorial history of Northern Illinois University. Both interview subjects were notable Northern Illinois State Teachers College athletes. Property rights in the series belong to the Regional History Center; literary rights are dedicated to the public....

Scope and Contents Perkins, a Native American, was recruited to come to Northern as a member of the track team in 1940.  In 1943 he enlisted in the Navy, and returned to NISTC in the fall of 1946.  A conference champion in the "880," he set the American record for the half-mile as a member of the AAU team visiting Oslo, Norway in 1947.  The majority of this interview discusses his athletic career and experiences at NISTC and in DeKalb.  Perkins also discusses his family and background, his World War II...

Scope and Contents "Bumpy" Smith, an African-American student, not only was a Northern track star, but also was a member or officer of several campus organizations, including Senior Class President in 1948, 1949.  He was drafted into the NAVY in 1944, and then came to NISTC in 1946.  This interview touches on the draft, service in WW II, and the GI Bill; his experiences at Northern, including housing on campus, and the boycott of the Log Cabin Restaurant in DeKalb; and his career teaching in Detroit, travels,...