Hall of Fame
In his two years on RVC’s Men’s Tennis team, Art finished 22-5 as a singles player (18-5 playing #1 singles in 1970 and 4-0 playing #3 singles in 1971), and 21-2 as a doubles player (5-0 playing #2 doubles in 1970 and 16-2 playing #1 doubles in 1971). RVC’s two-year team record during his time was 31-2 and included a Region IV and conference championship after a perfect 16-0 season in 1971.
Art accumulated a number of individual highlights and honors over his two seasons at RVC. In 1970, he was named second team All-Conference, finished second at the Region IV singles tournament, and qualified for the National Junior College Tournament. In 1971, he was named rst team All-Conference and won the conference doubles championship, finished second at the Region IV doubles tournament, and qualified for the National Junior College Tournament.
After graduating from RVC, Art went on to continue his education and play tennis at Western Illinois University in 1973-1974. At WIU, Art tallied a two-year singles record of 30-12 and a two-year doubles record of 24-18. He graduated from WIU with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1974.
Art has been employed by Hallmark Cards since 1976 where he has held numerous managerial positions and is currently Regional Market Manager – New England. With Hallmark, Art was the 15th recipient of the J.C. Hall Achievement Award, the highest distinction among Hallmark Marketing Corporation sales professionals. The award honors top achievers in special recognition of Joyce C. Hall, the founder of Hallmark Cards, Inc. Qualifications for the award include having a record of sustained sales excellence through hard work, exemplary character, and relentless e ort on behalf of Hallmark and its customers. Additionally, Art is a nine-time recipient of the National R.B. Hall Award for top performing sales professional, and a four-time recipient of the District R.B. Hall Award for the top performing sales district in the country.
Some of Art’s community involvement has included serving on the Board of Directors for Opportunity Networks, serving as Vice President for the Naperville Little League, volunteering on the Brian Piccolo Golf Outing Committee, and coaching Pop Warner Football and Little League Baseball.
On his induction into the RVC Athletics Hall of Fame, Art stated, “I am honored and humbled to be selected to the RVC Hall of Fame. This induction also allows me an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to coach Pete Lonsway. I owe a lot of my success at RVC and in the business world to the teaching and coaching he provided me at an early age. He believed in basic fundamentals, commitment, discipline, being well-conditioned physically and mentally, competitive resilience, and that no hill was too tough to climb. He inspired us to stretch ourselves. All these attributes are interchangeable with athletics and business. Thanks coach!”
Art and his wife Charlene have four children (Joe, Steve, Rachel, and Liz) and nine grandchildren (Jordan, Paige, Hannah, Cathryn, Hailey, Mackenzie, Stephen, Molly, and Seth).
