Concordia University Chicago Athletics

Richard “Duke” Otto, ’56, earned eight letters in his athletic career at Concordia; two for football and three each for basketball and baseball.

            
Otto’s highest athletic achievements have come on the basketball court where he set single game and gymnasium scoring records. He has also held records for free throws attempted and free throws made.

            
Otto’s accomplishments after Concordia include contributing to the formation of the Lutheran Athletics League in northwest suburban Chicago for boys and girls. He coached football for 33 years and basketball for 10 years, splitting his time between St. Louis and Crystal Lake, Illinois.

            
Off the field, Otto received his master’s in education from Northern Illinois University. He taught six years at St. Paul Lutheran School in Mount Prospect, Illinois, five years at Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, and 26 years at High School District No. 155 in Crystal Lake. Otto served as both chairman and vice-chairman of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Crystal Lake congregation and school board. He also contributed to the formation of the Lutheran Athletic League in Chicago’s northwest suburbs for boys and girls.