Jimmy Cook just might be one of the greatest Fighting Illini multi-sport athletes you've never heard of. Cook, who died on this date 69 years ago, lettered three times as a halfback and receiver on Illinois' football team, but it was as a baseball player where he made his most significant imprint.
The first-generation American was the son of Scottish parents and a product of Dundee High School in Kane County.
On the gridiron, Cook played for three different coaches at Illinois: George Huff, Fred Smith and Edgar Holt. In his last two seasons, 1901 and '02, the 5-foot-9, 163-pounder helped the Illini win 18 of their 23 games.