Masar, Terry (1950-2011) | University of Illinois Archives

Terry Masar (1950-2011) was a University of Illinois alumnus and owner of Nature's Table Restaurant. A star athlete who grew up in the Chicago suburbs, Terry came to the University of Illinois in 1968 to play for the Fighting Illini. While a student, Masar was also a member of Theta Xi fraternity. In his sophomore year, he became a starting member of football team as halfback and punter. He would play for the Fighting Illini in his junior and senior years, and remains the all-time leader in punts in a single season.  After graduating in 1972, Masar briefly joined the football staff at Illinois.

In the mid-1970s, Masar was jailed in Florida for drug possession. Following his release, he became interested in health food and began cooking. After moving back to Champaign, Masar opened Nature's Table in September 1979. In 1980, Masar married Shelley Washburne, who introduced him to jazz. She persuaded him to bring a piano into the restaurant, booking bands like the Jack Webb Band. Between 1979 and 1991, the Masars' fashioned Nature's Table into an entry-level venue for up-and-coming artists, booking jazz, rock, and folk acts seven nights of the week.

After Nature's Table was closed in 1991, Masar briefly owned and operated Sweet Betsy's Restaurant. In the late 1990s, Masar also became the soccer coach at University High, coaching his son Tyson and eventually his daughter Ella. In the early 2000s, the Masars divorced and Masar became the deli manager for Sunsinger Wine Bar Cafe. He died of a heart attack in 2011.

Gary Wold, "Masar Chosen Football MVP," Daily Illini November 24, 1971.

Shelley Masar Oral History with Jeff Machota (August 2016): https://naturestable.net/oral-history/

Tim Mitchell, "Friends, Family Recall Terry Masar," Champaign News Gazzette (October 25, 2011).

Paul Young, "Sunsinger Wine and Spirits: A Gourmet Deli in a Wine Store." Smile Politely https://www.smilepolitely.com/food-drink/sunsinger_wine_and_spirits_a_gourmet_deli_in_a_wine_store/

David Jacobson, "On the Move" The Gargoyle (October 22, 1999): 10.

"Ella Masar Uplugged: Loss, Love, and Life" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbwghZMLy8U.