Norwich University

A gridiron standout, Hekker guided the Horsemen to a 5-2-1 record and runner-up Vermont state championship honors in 1955 to highlight his playing days. He was named a first team all-Vermont collegian and the squad’s Most Valuable Player after tying the former school record for receptions in a season (25) during his senior year.

Hekker remembers the transition that the game was going through when he donned the Cadet uniform in 1952-54 and 1956. 

"The quarterback just started to go under center after all the offenses had been single wing," he said. "Actually, Middlebury was still using the single wing. We began wearing plastic helmets, even without face guards, while I was playing too, and, during my playing career, we had moved to rubber cleats and smaller shoes after playing with high tops and leather cleats." 

"I got a few opportunities at my end position to catch some passes," he added. "The entire football experience was great. I met a lot of great guys who I've become friends with for a long time. Overall, Norwich taught me to 'not quit'. Those two words were really important due to the fact that we played some tough teams and had tough situations in games and sometimes college could be tough too." 

Hekker took that motto and did even more after college. He owns his own sheet metal business with his son in Portland, Oregon. He's also led a very adventurous lifestyle having traveled Lewis and Clark's path from St. Louis to the Pacific which, he admitted, "took two months and four boats". He also took a tour of the Holy Land to do some research on the Dead Sea Scrolls, and was a rodeo cowboy among other things. 

"I am truly humbled to be going into the Hall of Fame," he said. "To think of all the great players that Norwich has had in its history and that they selected me for this honor is incredible."