Art Mathisen

Arthur Fremont Mathisen (February 27, 1920 – January 5, 2004) was an American college basketball standout for Illinois in the 1940s. A center, Mathison led the Fighting Illini in rebounding while scoring over 500 points in his three years of varsity play earning a varsity letter each year. Graduating from Dwight High School, Mathisen was the son of James Mathisen and Mary (Jensen) Mathisen, marrying Virginia Mae DeLong in 1946. While in high school, Mathisen led his basketball team to the "Sweet Sixteen" of the IHSA state tournament in 1939.

Art Mathisen

Personal information
Born	February 27, 1920 Dwight, Illinois
Died	January 5, 2004 (aged 83) Danville, Illinois
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Career information
High school	Dwight (Dwight, Illinois)
College	Illinois (1940–1943)
Position	Center
Number	19
Career highlights and awards
2× Honorable Mention All-American – SN (1942, 1943) First-team All-Big Ten (1943)

Mathisen enrolled at the University of Illinois in the fall of 1939, playing on the freshman basketball team. In his sophomore year he was the starting center of the 1940–41 Fighting Illini team that finished third in the Big Ten with a 13–7 record. As a junior, Mathisen maintained his starting center role on a team that finished as conference champions and an overall record of 18–5. The pinnacle of his career was be the 1942–43 season, Mathisen was named team captain and the Illini finished their schedule with an overall record of 17–1, and a conference record of 12–0. This team was not only a Big Ten champion, they were also named a Premo-Porretta National Champion. Even though they were ranked #1 in the nation, Illinois elected not to play in the 1943 NCAA basketball tournament because three starters were drafted into active duty.