BOONE'S RINEHART TO ENTER UNI HALL OF FAME

   It was a no-brainer........just a matter of "when."

   He last played in an official football game in 2014 but now, eight years later, Boone native Chad Rinehart will be inducted into the University of Northern Iowa Athletic Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place at a banquet Friday, September 16, in Cedar Falls. Six other individuals and the entire 1963-64 men's basketball team will also be honored in the UNI-Dome at halftime of the Sacramento State/UNI football game that begins at 4 p.m., Saturday, September 17.

   Rinehart, 6-5 and 320, was an all-state football offensive lineman for the Toreadors in his senior year, 2003.

   At UNI, he immediately made a big impact, eventually, helping the Panthers to 37 wins, including three Gateway Football Conference championships, headlined by a run to the 2005 FCS National Championship game and an undefeated 2007 regular season.

   The son of Boone residents, Gayle and Marty Rinehart, Chad was a first team All-Gateway selection three times. That was topped by second team All-American status as a junior and first team All-American selection as a senior.

   Considered one of the best tackles in the history of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, Chad was named to the league's Silver Anniversary Team in 2009.

   Rinehart was selected in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft, the 96th pick overall, by the Washington Redskins. After two season's with Washington, 2008/10, and a brief stint on the New York Jets practice squad in 2010, Chad signed a contract with the Buffalo Bills, where he would make 17 starts in 27 games played in 2010/12. With the San Diego Chargers in 2013/14, he made 26 starts and concluded his NFL career with a total of 47 starts with 58 games played in seven seasons.

   Chad now lives in Cedar Falls with his wife, Justine, and their three children, Charlotte, Magnolia and Crawford. He serves as Associate Athletic Director at Waverly-Shell Rock High School. Congratulatory notes can be sent to......1704 Valley High Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613.

   EDITOR'S NOTE:  It has certainly been a pleasure for the Kornerman to follow Chad's amazing career, even over and above his football success. I've been especially impressed by the fact that he was more than a great football player. An excellent student, he played the cello in the Toreador orchestra during his high school days AND, perhaps, most important of all, showed you can have a good, albeit mid-range career in professional football but also the good sense to "get out" of the mayhem before your body and brain are broken.

   P.S. One other thing. I remember Chad carrying groceries to my car from HyVee during his high school days. That rings a bell. Wasn't there another great UNI football star who was also employed by HyVee before having an NFL Hall of Fame career. Seems to me Kurt Warner was the name.

 

   CONGRATULATIONS CHAD, GAYLE, MARTY, JUSTINE, THAT SON AND THOSE DAUGHTERS.

 

K-----K 

   BITS AND PIECES: (1) You'll recall that in a recent edition I mentioned I had sent an email to columnist Courtney Crowder of the Des Moines Register in my continuing effort to get the Super National Races publicized. Several earlier attempts to the DMR sports department had resulted in "no reply." That's why I tried to go a different direction. The good news is that Courtney did reply.......however, she simply indicated she had sent my email on to the sports department, while noting she would put the event on her 2023 schedule for review. Again, I haven't heard from the sports department of course. (2) Cub fan Jim Rueber of Boone sent me some interesting material. Included were two colored pictures, taken in 1959, of a huge arrow pointing, I guess, to the Boone Business District. At least that's the wording on the sign. It appears to be hanging over a street intersection, perhaps, Fourth and Story. Obviously, the sign no longer exists. Then too, there was an April 1, 1924 picture of the New Lyric, the only vaudeville house in Boone and copies of  several ads of Boone businesses.....H.C. Payne, Studebaker dealer of 1924 and several businesses from 1946, Ripley Dairy, Youll Heating and Metal Shop, Chester Echternach's Groceryteria, Rocho Brothers Ice and Coal, J.R. Chaloupka Real Estate, Walker's Cafe and Rea's Men's Wear.

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   BOONE CONNECTED/AREA DEATHS

   Kenneth (Kenny) Don Arnold, 73, Pilot Mound. Victim of a tractor accident. Services in Ogden.

  

   Deanna Wilcox Mattson, 81, Boone. Born in Boone. Married Donald R. Wilcox in 1958. In the mid to late 70's, she was best known as the lady from the radio station selling advertising. Married Merritt Mattson in 1984 and the couple spent time in Houston, St. Louis, Green Bay and Des Moines before returning to Boone in 2008. Survivors include sons Brian and Gary Wilcox and several grandchildren, including Megan Sprecher of Madrid. A Celebration of Life is planned for September.

 

   Stephen O. Anderson, 72, Stratford. Survivors include two sons and three sisters. Services pending.

 

   Craig Eugene Elliott, 64, Boone. Born in Boone. BHS-77. Married Carol Paris in Boone in 1982. Worked for Story Construction until 2010 when health issues limited his ability to work. Craig's passion, for all things automotive, began in high school. He was involved in racing for over 30 years. Racing at the Boone Speedway was a family lifestyle that was passed down through three generations. Survivors include his wife, Carol, his son, Eric Elliott, and daughter, Jessica Elliott, all of Boone. Two brothers, a sister and brother-in-law also survive. Services in Boone and Pilot Mound.

 

   Victor Theodore (Ted) Birdseye, 91, Boone/Westhaven. Born and grew up in Oregon. Medford HS-50. Army vet. Married Beverly Ann Abbott in 1952. The couple resided most of their married life in Ames. Earned an engineering degree from ISU in 1964 and worked for General Filter for 30 years. In retirement, spent time with Habitat for Humanity. He moved to Westhaven in 2018 suffering from dementia. Three adult children survive, including Cynthia O'Neal of Boone. A sister also survives. Services in Ames.

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   Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. Leave a message. To email your stories/memories/comments/death notices

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