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Luke A. Johnsos (1905-1984) Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 31/6/143

  • Staff Only
  • No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

The Luke A. Johnsos collection, dating between 1926 and 2011, consists mainly of newspaper clippings, magazines and football game programs, and photographs pertaining to the life and athletic career of Luke Johnsos. The collection is arranged within two boxes--one standard size, the other oversize.

The first box contains an array of newspaper clippings and related items gathered together under the title The Athletic Career of Luke A. Johnsos, 1926-1984, giving a detailed overview of Johnsos’s athletic achievements at Northwestern University as well as with the Chicago Bears. Other folders in the collection include records relating to Johnsos’s time at Northwestern; a few pieces of correspondence; a matchbook cover and a football trading card bearing Johnsos’s likeness and biographical details; an obituary, a eulogy and program from his funeral; Chicago Bears game programs and a magazine in which Johnsos is mentioned; and photographs dating from his years at Northwestern through his coaching career with the Chicago Bears. Of particular note is a colorful scrapbook documenting Johnsos’s accomplishments in baseball, basketball, and football at Northwestern, and in football with the Chicago Bears, compiled by Hans Johnsos as a wedding gift to his son.

The second box includes various newspaper clippings and full newspaper pages, an issue of the Saturday Evening Post, and oversized photographs, all of which relate in some manner to Johnsos.

Dates

  • 1926 - 2011

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is stored off-site and requires two business days advance notice for retrieval. Please contact the McCormick Library at specialcollections@northwestern.edu or 847-491-3635 for more information or to schedule an appointment to view the collection.

Extent

2 Boxes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

While a student at Northwestern University (beginning in 1924), Luke A. Johnsons earned a total of seven letters in football, basketball, and baseball. He played football for the Chicago Bears, becoming player-coach, and serving as co-head coadh during World War II. He remained with the Bears until 1968. He pioneered a new way of coaching from the press box, becoming known as the "Press Box Quarterback." Johnsos also served as President of the Johnsos-Coppock printing company. This collection of his papers, covering the years 1926 to 2011, contains newspaper articles, magazines, photographs, and other biographical material pertaining to his athletic and coaching careers.

Arrangement

The Luke A. Johnsons papers are organized into: general biographical materials; materials covering his athletic career (in chronological order); and miscellaneous materials.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated in two accessions by Ann Steffes and Luke Johnsos, Jr. (Accessions 14-179 and 2019-57).

Title
Guide to the Luke A. Johnsos (1905-1984) Collection
Author
Kevin B. Leonard
Date
2019-05-07
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the Northwestern University Archives Repository

Contact:
Deering Library, Level 3
1970 Campus Dr.
Evanston IL 60208-2300 US
847-491-3635