Information as of 2006: Hugh Cook graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1953 where he was awarded the Joe Biggs Memorial Award by the Lions Club for achievement in sports and all around good citizenship. He had an outstanding career in high school as a three sport athlete. In Track he set a record at the Mesa Invitational Meet in the discus and ran on a record setting 440 relay team. In addition, he participated in the shot put and 880 relay team. As a wrestler, Hugh was a state runner-up his senior year in 1953. On the Grand Junction High football team he was named to the Associated Press All-State as a linebacker and co-captained the 1953 team.
In 1953 Hugh enlisted in the Army and was named as the best offensive lineman on the 39th Infantry football team in the fall of 1953.
During his time at Mesa College, Hugh participated in three sports: track, wrestling, and football. In wrestling he was awarded the Empire Conference wrestling champion at 167 lbs. in 1956. On the football team he was named to the All-Conference teams in 1955 and 1956. Bus Bergman, the football coach at Mesa, termed him, "one of the best linebackers I have ever had the privilege to coach." Hugh co-captained the 1956 Mesa team to a 9-0 regular season record before they lost their final game to National Champion Compton Community College (CA). He was named NJCAA First Team All-American, Mesa's first ever All-American.
Hugh went on to work at Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Site, Dow Chemical, Rockwell International EG & G for 32 years as an assembly manager. He retired in 1992, moved to Grand Junction. He and his wife, Donna, have three children: Kellie, Kathy, and David. Hugh has been active in the BPOE Elks for 37 years and the Masonic Lodge. He was nominated Grand Junction Elk of the Year and Colorado District Elk in 2004. His hobbies include woodworking, golf, and fishing.
