Dwight Eddleman

Who was Dwight Eddleman?

Thomas Dwight "Dike" Eddleman is generally considered the greatest athlete in the history of athletics at the University of Illinois. Eddleman participated on the University's basketball, track and field, and football teams between the years of 1947 and 1949. Eddleman earned a combined 11 varsity letters in his career at the University, during which he also became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Eddleman was born in Centralia, Illinois, and attended Centralia High School. On October 24, 2008 Eddleman was named a Distinguished Alumni of Centralia High school. He, along with five others, including James Brady, were the first to be named Distinguished Alumni. His wife, Teddy Eddleman, accepted his award.

Beginning in 1969, Eddleman served the University of Illinois as a fundraiser for the athletic department. In tribute to his years of service to the University's athletics, in 1993, the University of Illinois athlete of the year awards for both men and women were named in his honor. In 2002, the portion of Fourth Street in Champaign, Illinois that runs along the east side of Memorial Stadium between Peabody Drive and Kirby Street was designated Honorary Dike Eddleman Way.