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Michael Edward Dau

Michael Edward Dau

  • Year:
    1958
  • Hometown:
    Chicago, Illinois
  • High School:
    Senn
  • Team:
    Football, Track

Growing up in Chicago, Illinois, Mike attended Senn High School.  He was a varsity lettermen in gymnastics and football.

He entered Lake Forest in 1953 and earned varsity letters in football and track.  A member of the 1957 CCI Championship football team, he was Most Valuable Player and All America his senior year.  Active in many campus activities, Mike was a member of Phi Pi Epsilon and president his senior year.  He was also involved with the Garrick Players, the Stentor, the Year Book and the Lettermen's Club.

Graduating with a history degree, he attended the USMC Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in December of that year.  Participating in inter-service football, he was named to the All Marine team.  Mike coached Marine teams the next two seasons before earning an honorable discharge in 1962.  He returned to Lake Forest in the fall of 1962 as a part-time assistant football coach.  In 1963 he accepted a full-time coaching position at Carmel High School in Mundelein, but returned to Lake Forest College in 1964 where he remained for the duration of his career.

Named head football coach in 1966, Mike also served as J.V. basketball coach, baseball coach, handball coach and Athletic Director.  His 1983 football team won the Midwest Conference football championship and his handball teams won many national championships.  His handball coaching prowess earned him a place in the U.S. Handball Association Hall of Fame in 1988.

An avid handball player, Mike won numerous local singles championships, advanced to the national Masters Doubles finals in 1980 and, at the age of 56, won the USMC Open doubles championship with his son Perry.  He also served as chairman of the USHA Hall of Fame committee for many years.  He and his wife, Paula Jeanne Ernst '58, the 1956 Centennial Homecoming Queen, continued to serve the college in a variety of roles throughout their lives.