OUTSTANDING AMERICAN Born in Chicago's Bridgeport area in the fall of 1941, John F. Sandner "”Jack to most people"” was educated in predominately Catholic schools. It was an environment in which he excelled academically and, consequently, was encouraged to pursue the priesthood. It was during Jack's third year at Leo Catholic High School that his home life changed dramatically - unfortunately for the worse. Jack transferred to Chicago Vocational to be closer to home, but the academic environment in his new school was not the same and Jack began to lose his academic focus. Ultimately, Jack dropped out of high school and joined his new friends as they embraced the role of "street toughs." It was in this setting that Jack was introduced to boxing. Like with many things Jack pursued, he became prolific at the game. He trained hard and won more than fifty fights. Colleges began to show an interest in Jack with a number of them offering boxing scholarships. Motivated by the opportunity to go to college, Jack returned to high school where he graduated Valedictorian. As fate would have it, in the year in which Jack graduated the NCAA dropped boxing as a collegiate sport and the scholarship offers dried up. Jack went on to enroll at Southern Illinois University, where, to his benefit, he took up wrestling. SIU fielded a fair-to-middling squad in those days - including a couple of NCAA champions. Although he lacked experience in the sport, Jack quickly realized that, similar to boxing, wrestling demanded tremendous conditioning; unbelievable dedication; discipline and tenacity; and a high degree of skill. Whereas his limited knowledge made daily practices difficult - Jack was taken down, reversed and pinned more than he cares to remember - he never quit and in the process learned the sport. He embraced this "wrestling culture" and in turn it, together with his efforts as a pugilist, helped provide Jack with the basis for a successful life after sports. After SIU Jack was accepted at the University of Notre Dame Law School. He graduated with high honors and received the Law School's Dean Clarence Manion Award. In 2006, he received an honorary doctor of laws from Notre Dame. While practicing law Jack represented the President of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and was introduced to the world of Futures Trading. He joined the Exchange and began trading. Jack acknowledges that the discipline he learned from both boxing and wrestling served as a key to his success. In 1980 Jack was elected as the youngest Chairman of the CME. Under his leadership during the 1980's and 1990's the CME broke ground on many innovative and creative initiatives. As a recognized leader in his field, Jack has been asked to testify before Congress; speak at economic summits; and sit on various advisory commissions and councils. He also serves on numerous boards and acts as a trustee for a variety of institutions. Additionally he has received numerous honors and awards including the Points of Light Award from President George Bush; the Horatio Alger Award; and the Living Proof Award from Rush Children's Hospital. Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management has endowed a chair in Jack Sandner's honor. Lastly, Jack has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by both Roosevelt University and Lincoln College.