John Nedeau’s name is synonymous with sailing, but not many know that he was an all-state guard on Muskegon Heights’ 1947 state championship football team.  Awarded a football scholarship to Michigan State University, a knee injury ended Nedeau’s gridiron career prematurely. But long before that, he was already known as one of the top sailors on Lake Michigan,

Nedeau received his passion for sailing from his father, Harvey, and the two teamed up aboard the wooden-hulled RoMaHajo to win the prestigious Chicago-to-Mackinac race and post several top three finishes. To sailing aficionados, John is best known as the skipper of Windancer, seven different individual ships which he piloted in almost every major sailing race on Lake Michigan over 40 years. Nedeau sailed Windancer to victories in the Chicago-to-Mackinac, Port Huron-to-Mackinac, Queen’s Cup and many smaller regattas.

While always known for his tactical ability, Nedeau is also known for his longevity. He sailed in 66 Chicago-to-Mackinac races, making him more than a double member of the Chicago Yacht Club’s ‘Old Goats Society,’ an honor bestowed on those sailors who have completed 25 ‘Macs.’ During his athletic career, Nedeau also was a city handball champion and earned three city doubles championships during the 1960s.