Milton McPike
Encyclopedia
Milton McPike was an American
educator and San Francisco 49ers
player, and the principal of Madison East High School
for 23 years. He also served on the Board of Regents for the University of Wisconsin–Madison
until his death in 2008.
. He played high school football with boxer Ken Norton. He attended Northeast Missouri State University Teacher's College (now Truman State University
) from 1958 to 1962. While there, he earned 12 letters
in basketball, track and football.
. Following his NFL experience, McPike taught and coached sports for 11 years in Quincy, Illinois
.
In 1974, he moved to Madison, Wisconsin
, where he served as vice principal of Madison West High School
for five years. In 1979 he was appointed principal of Madison East High School
. Under his leadership at East, the school gained a reputation for academic focus and was recognized as a National School of Excellence in 1989. He retired as principal in 2002. The Madison East High School Fieldhouse was named after McPike in 2005.
McPike served on several hospital and foundation boards and was named to the UW Board of Regents in 2004, resigning as regent in March 2008 for health reasons.
following a battle with adenocystic carcinoma
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
educator and San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
player, and the principal of Madison East High School
Madison East High School
Madison East High School is one of four comprehensive four-year high schools in Madison, Wisconsin. It was established in 1922, making it the oldest high school still operating in Madison. The school mascot is the "Purgolder", an animal resembling a puma. Madison East athletes compete in the WIAA...
for 23 years. He also served on the Board of Regents for the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
until his death in 2008.
Early life and education
Milton Lee McPike was born October 9, 1939 in Jacksonville, IllinoisJacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. The population was 18,940 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Morgan County....
. He played high school football with boxer Ken Norton. He attended Northeast Missouri State University Teacher's College (now Truman State University
Truman State University
Truman State University is a public liberal arts and sciences university in Missouri, United States and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. About 6,000 students attend Truman, pursuing degrees in 43 undergraduate and 9 Graduate programs. It is located in Kirksville in...
) from 1958 to 1962. While there, he earned 12 letters
Varsity letter
A varsity letter is an award earned in the United States for excellence in school activities. A varsity letter signifies that its winner was a qualified varsity team member, awarded after a certain standard was met.- Description :...
in basketball, track and football.
Career
In 1962 he was a 12th-round draft pick by the San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. Following his NFL experience, McPike taught and coached sports for 11 years in Quincy, Illinois
Quincy, Illinois
Quincy, known as Illinois' "Gem City," is a river city along the Mississippi River and the county seat of Adams County. As of the 2010 census the city held a population of 40,633. The city anchors its own micropolitan area and is the economic and regional hub of West-central Illinois, catering a...
.
In 1974, he moved to Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, where he served as vice principal of Madison West High School
Madison West High School
Madison West High School is one of four comprehensive four-year high schools in Madison, Wisconsin. It was established in 1930. Its mascot is the "Reggie the Regent," a lion, and its school colors are maize and blue...
for five years. In 1979 he was appointed principal of Madison East High School
Madison East High School
Madison East High School is one of four comprehensive four-year high schools in Madison, Wisconsin. It was established in 1922, making it the oldest high school still operating in Madison. The school mascot is the "Purgolder", an animal resembling a puma. Madison East athletes compete in the WIAA...
. Under his leadership at East, the school gained a reputation for academic focus and was recognized as a National School of Excellence in 1989. He retired as principal in 2002. The Madison East High School Fieldhouse was named after McPike in 2005.
McPike served on several hospital and foundation boards and was named to the UW Board of Regents in 2004, resigning as regent in March 2008 for health reasons.
Marriage and children
McPike and his wife Sharon, had no children together. McPike had three sons (Milton Jr., Jeff and James) with his first wife Ruth. Sharon had three children (Scott, Kimberly and Rebecca) from a previous marriage.Death and afterward
McPike died on March 29, 2008 in Madison, WisconsinMadison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
following a battle with adenocystic carcinoma
Adenoid cystic carcinoma
Adenoid cystic cancer is a rare type of cancer that can exist in many different body sites. It most often occurs in the areas of the head and neck, in particular the salivary glands; but has also been reported in the breast, lacrimal gland of the eye, lung, brain, bartholin gland, trachea, and...
.
Awards
- 1990: named one of ten "American Heroes in Education" by Reader’s Digest
- 1997: Wisconsin State Principal of the Year
- 2007: Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award