Born in 1943 in Canton, this CHS graduate was one of the earliest students at Canton Community College, graduating with an associate degree in 1963.
While at CCC, Brown was a two-sport athlete in both baseball and basketball, but especially excelled in the latter. In his freshman year on a team that went 18-8 on the season, he averaged 18 points per game. He followed that up with an All-American season as the country’s fourth-leading scorer at 27 per game (in the pre-three-point-shot era), leading CCC to a 27-4 record. He went on to play on the baseball team for a year and on the basketball team for two years at Western Illinois University and earned an All-Conference honor in basketball.
Brown credits working at his family’s restaurant, Brown’s Snappy Service in Canton, for helping to prepare him for his career as a teacher, coach, and administrator. He also recognized a strong desire to be around young people and to help them develop their own athletic skills.
Brown began his teaching and coaching career in Colchester, but in 1969, he headed to Avon Unit School District #176 to launch a career that would span over 40 years. During his time there, he taught both P.E. and driver education, served as the school’s Athletic Director, and took on an additional title as Dean of Students.
Brown was awarded the “Teacher of the Year” award twice, helped to organize Avon’s Jaycees chapter, and was active in the Lion’s Club, serving as Treasurer for two years. He’s also an inductee onto the A-Town “Wall of Fame” and was inducted into the Canton Little Giant Hall of Fame for basketball and as a member of the 1961 CHS baseball team, which finished third in the state.
Brown and his wife Judy reside in Elkhart, Ill. He is the proud father of Shelley, Angie, Chad, Jodi, and Courtnee, and he is the proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren. In retirement, he enjoys playing golf, watching sports, and watching his grandkids grow up.
