Upper Iowa University Athletics

Gayl Farnum entered Upper Iowa University in 1940, and his studies were interrupted while he spent two years as a B17 pilot during World War II. He returned to Upper Iowa in 1945 to complete his education. In the fall of 1945, he and his wife, Janis, influenced eight or ten veterans of World War II to attend Upper Iowa so that the Peacocks could field a football team. All played for UIU and went on to become teachers and coaches.

While at Upper Iowa, Farnum lettered in football four times, and lettered in basketball and baseball two times. In 1942, he was awarded All-Conference First Team honors as a defensive back and All-Conference Second Team honors as a fullback. In 1946, there were no conference selections made. Farnum was captain of the football team in 1942 and in 1945, while also being named captain of the basketball team in 1943.

Farnum taught and coached in Grundy Center and Maquoketa, where his baseball team won the state tournament.

Although he entered into the private insurance business, he still coached junior high football at Maquoketa. Farnum remained active in the church scene, the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the community theatre. He was a member of the Upper Iowa Board of Trustees and worked as a fund-raiser for the Dorman Gymnasium building program. He and his wife, Janis (Class of 1944), reside in Maquoketa, and are the parents of two sons.