Western Illinois Leathernecks
Encyclopedia
The Western Illinois Leathernecks are the teams and athletes that represent Western Illinois University
, located in Macomb, Illinois
, in NCAA
Division I sports. The school's primary conference affiliation is with The Summit League; its football
team is a member of the Division I FCS (formerly Division I-AA) Missouri Valley Football Conference. Since the fall semester of 2009 the men's and women's teams have been unified under the Leathernecks name; previously, the women's teams and athletes at the school had been known as the Westerwinds.
Despite the military-sounding nature
of the name, the mascot used is actually a canine
, not a Marine, making WIU one of the three major state universities in Illinois to employ a dog as its mascot
(the others being the SIU Salukis
and the NIU Huskies
). However, the bulldog is the official symbol of the US Marine Corps. Western Illinois University
is still the only public university that can use the name Leatherneck
. All other schools that have military mascots are actual military schools, United States Air Force Academy
, United States Naval Academy
and West Point.
.
From 1954
to 1963
the Leathernecks appeared in the NAIA
Division I Men's Basketball Tournament
. Although never winning the National Title, the Leathernecks did walk away with national runner-up titles, and third place finishes.
, who resigned on September 25, 2009 for health reasons. Mark Hendrickson is presently the coach.
Western Illinois has been ranked number one once and ranked number two numerous times. The two best chances for an FCS championship were in 1997, when they lost to runner-up McNeese State
by two points and beat the FCS champion Youngstown State
(coached by Jim Tressel
at the time) during the regular season. In 2002, WIU beat national champions Western Kentucky during the regular season 14-0 and lost to that same team at home 31-28 after a missed 63-yard field goal attempt by Mike Scifres
that fell just short. In 2010, WIU quarterback Matt Barr
, was nominated for the 2010 Walter Payton Award
.
Note: Since 1981, the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs Regional Championships were commonly referred Pecan Bowl (Midwest Region Championship) and Camellia Bowl (West Region Championship).
The Leathernecks are one of the few mid-major teams to play every team in the Big 12 Conference
. The program's three biggest wins were a 5-4 win over #18Oklahoma
in 2004; a 3-0 win over #7 Long Beach State
in 2008; and a 5-3 win over #4 Missouri
, also in 2008.
Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University is a public university founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School. Like many similar institutions of the time, Western Illinois State Normal School focused on teacher training for its relatively small body of students. As the normal school grew, it became...
, located in Macomb, Illinois
Macomb, Illinois
Macomb is a city in and the county seat of McDonough County, Illinois, United States. It is situated in western Illinois southwest of Galesburg. The population was 18,588 at the 2000 census. Macomb is the home of Western Illinois University.- Geography :...
, in NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division I sports. The school's primary conference affiliation is with The Summit League; its football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
team is a member of the Division I FCS (formerly Division I-AA) Missouri Valley Football Conference. Since the fall semester of 2009 the men's and women's teams have been unified under the Leathernecks name; previously, the women's teams and athletes at the school had been known as the Westerwinds.
Despite the military-sounding nature
Leatherneck
Leatherneck is a military slang term for a member of the United States Marine Corps. Now accepted by Webster as a synonym for Marine, the term "Leatherneck" was derived from a leather stock once worn around the neck by both American and British Marines—and soldiers also. Beginning in 1798, "one...
of the name, the mascot used is actually a canine
Canine
Canine may refer to:* Domestic dog* Animals belonging to the family Canidae, or the sub-family Caninae* Canine tooth* Ralph Canine, American soldier and government administrator* A character in Glenn Martin, DDS...
, not a Marine, making WIU one of the three major state universities in Illinois to employ a dog as its mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
(the others being the SIU Salukis
Southern Illinois Salukis
The Southern Illinois Salukis are the varsity athletic teams representing Southern Illinois University. The nickname comes from the saluki, the royal dog of Egypt and the Persian greyhound, which ties into the fact that southern Illinois has had the nickname "Little Egypt" for just under 200...
and the NIU Huskies
Northern Illinois Huskies
The Northern Illinois Huskies are the athletic teams that represent Northern Illinois University. The Huskies are a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Mid-American Conference...
). However, the bulldog is the official symbol of the US Marine Corps. Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University is a public university founded in 1899 as Western Illinois State Normal School. Like many similar institutions of the time, Western Illinois State Normal School focused on teacher training for its relatively small body of students. As the normal school grew, it became...
is still the only public university that can use the name Leatherneck
Leatherneck
Leatherneck is a military slang term for a member of the United States Marine Corps. Now accepted by Webster as a synonym for Marine, the term "Leatherneck" was derived from a leather stock once worn around the neck by both American and British Marines—and soldiers also. Beginning in 1798, "one...
. All other schools that have military mascots are actual military schools, United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
, United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
and West Point.
Men's basketball
The Leathernecks basketball team team has never played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The coach since March 11, 2008 has been Jim MolinariJim Molinari
James Molinari is an American basketball coach. Molinari is head coach of the Western Illinois University Leathernecks. Prior to being named coach at WIU, Molinari was as assistant coach at Ball State University after serving as the interim head coach at the University of Minnesota, replacing Dan...
.
From 1954
1954 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1954 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament was held in March at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. The 17th annual NAIA basketball tournament featured 32 teams playing in a single-elimination format . The Southwest Missouri State University Bears were out to claim an...
to 1963
1963 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1963 NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament was held in March at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. The 26th annual NAIA basketball tournament featured 32 teams playing in a single-elimination format...
the Leathernecks appeared in the NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
Division I Men's Basketball Tournament
NAIA national men's basketball championship
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men's Basketball National Championship has been held annually since 1937 . The tournament was established by James Naismith to crown a national champion for smaller colleges and universities...
. Although never winning the National Title, the Leathernecks did walk away with national runner-up titles, and third place finishes.
Football
The football program has had several NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) playoff appearances. They play in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. From 1999 to 2008 the team was coached by Don PattersonDon Patterson
Don Patterson may refer to:*Don Patterson , former head college football coach for the Western Illinois University Leathernecks*Don Patterson , American animator and director...
, who resigned on September 25, 2009 for health reasons. Mark Hendrickson is presently the coach.
Western Illinois has been ranked number one once and ranked number two numerous times. The two best chances for an FCS championship were in 1997, when they lost to runner-up McNeese State
McNeese State University
McNeese State University is a public university located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, in the United States. Founded in 1939 as a junior college, McNeese experienced growth due to economic activity in the region. It adopted its present name in 1970....
by two points and beat the FCS champion Youngstown State
Youngstown State Penguins
Youngstown State University is in NCAA Division I. Nicknamed the Penguins, they play in the Horizon League and Missouri Valley Football Conference, and compete in the following sports:*Baseball *Basketball *Cross Country...
(coached by Jim Tressel
Jim Tressel
James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
at the time) during the regular season. In 2002, WIU beat national champions Western Kentucky during the regular season 14-0 and lost to that same team at home 31-28 after a missed 63-yard field goal attempt by Mike Scifres
Mike Scifres
Michael T. Scifres is a punter for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League.-High school:Scifres attended Destrehan High School in Destrehan, Louisiana and lettered in football, soccer, and baseball. In football, he was an All-District selection...
that fell just short. In 2010, WIU quarterback Matt Barr
Matt Barr (American football)
Matt Barr is an American football quarterback with the Western Illinois Leathernecks football team. During the 2010 season, Barr threw for 3,410 yards 27 touchdowns and 8 interceptions in 13 games. He also ran for 675 yards and 7 touchdowns...
, was nominated for the 2010 Walter Payton Award
Walter Payton Award
The Walter Payton Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding offensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football as chosen by a nationwide panel of media and college sports information directors...
.
Bowl Games
| Season | Bowl | Champion | Runner-Up | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Corn Bowl | Western Illinois | 13 | Wheaton Wheaton College Wheaton College may refer to:* Wheaton College , private Christian, coeducational, liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois* Wheaton College , private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Norton, Massachusetts... |
0 |
| 1953 | Corn Bowl | Western Illinois | 32 | Iowa Wesleyan Iowa Wesleyan College Iowa Wesleyan College is a private four-year liberal arts college of the United Methodist Church located Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.Iowa Wesleyan is recognized as a pioneer in higher education in America. Founded in 1842, it ranks as the oldest coeducational college located west of the Mississippi River... |
0 |
| 1955 | Corn Bowl | Luther Luther College Luther College is the name of several educational institutions:*Luther College , in Decorah; a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America... |
24 | Western Illinois | 20 |
| 1956 | Corn Bowl | Western Illinois | 21 | Bradley Bradley Braves The Bradley Braves are the intercollegiate athletics teams of Bradley University, located in Peoria, Illinois.Bradley is best known for its college basketball success. Bradley has been to eight NCAA tournaments, including two national championship games, three Elite 8's, and four Sweet 16's... |
3 |
| 1997 | Pecan Bowl Pecan Bowl Pecan Bowl, a postseason college football bowl game, was first played at Shotwell Stadium located in Abilene, Texas. The first game took place in December 1964, and was played there each year until 1968, when the location was moved to Arlington, Texas. One of four regional playoff bowls of the NCAA... |
McNeese State | 14 | Western Illinois | 12 |
| 1998 | Camellia Bowl Camellia Bowl - 1948, Lafayette, Louisiana :The Camellia Bowl was a post-season major college football bowl game played at McNaspy Stadium in Lafayette, Louisiana, on December 30, 1948 between Hardin-Simmons University and the University of Wichita .... |
Western Illinois | 24 | Florida A&M Rattlers Florida A&M Rattlers The Florida A&M Rattlers represent Florida A&M University in college athletics. Florida A&M is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and participates in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision . FAMU offers men's sports in baseball, basketball, football, golf, swimming , tennis... |
21 |
| 2003 | Pecan Bowl Pecan Bowl Pecan Bowl, a postseason college football bowl game, was first played at Shotwell Stadium located in Abilene, Texas. The first game took place in December 1964, and was played there each year until 1968, when the location was moved to Arlington, Texas. One of four regional playoff bowls of the NCAA... |
Colgate Colgate University Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52... |
28 | Western Illinois | 27 |
Note: Since 1981, the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs Regional Championships were commonly referred Pecan Bowl (Midwest Region Championship) and Camellia Bowl (West Region Championship).
Baseball
The baseball program was coached by Stan Hyman until his sudden death from leukemia in September 2009.The Leathernecks are one of the few mid-major teams to play every team in the Big 12 Conference
Big 12 Conference
The Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
. The program's three biggest wins were a 5-4 win over #18Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners
The University of Oklahoma features 19 varsity sports teams. Both men's and women's teams are called the Sooners, a nickname given to the early participants in the land rushes which initially opened the Oklahoma Indian Territory to non-native settlement. They participate in the NCAA's Division I-A,...
in 2004; a 3-0 win over #7 Long Beach State
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach is the second largest campus of the California State University system and the third largest university in the state of California by enrollment...
in 2008; and a 5-3 win over #4 Missouri
Missouri Tigers
The Missouri Tigers athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of the University of Missouri, located in Columbia, Missouri, United States...
, also in 2008.
Notable/distinguished alumni
- Ryan Wilhelmi, United States Marine
- Jeff Brandwein, Sales Professional
- Don BeebeDon BeebeDon Lee Beebe is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Buffalo Bills , Carolina Panthers and the Green Bay Packers of the NFL....
, National Football LeagueNational Football LeagueThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing... - David BowensDavid BowensDavid Walter Bowens is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL Draft...
, National Football League - Lee CalhounLee CalhounLee Quincy Calhoun was an American athlete, a double winner of 110 m hurdles at the Olympic Games....
, OlympicOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
gold medalGold medalA gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
winner - Bryan CoxBryan CoxBryan Keith Cox is a former American football linebacker who played twelve seasons in the NFL from 1991 through 2002. He was a member of the New England Patriots club that won Super Bowl XXXVI...
, National Football League - Don GrecoDon GrecoDonald Greco Donald Greco Donald Greco (born April 1, 1959 in St. Louis, Missouri is a former American football offensive guard in the National Football League. Greco was selected in the third round by the Detroit Lions out of Western Illinois University in the 1981 NFL Draft....
, National Football League - Rodney HarrisonRodney HarrisonRodney Scott Harrison is a retired professional football player of the National Football League. Harrison played safety for the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots...
, National Football League - Edgerton HartwellEdgerton HartwellEdgerton "Ed" Hartwell, II is a former NFL linebacker. Currently signed with the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
, National Football League - William JamesWilliam JamesWilliam James was a pioneering American psychologist and philosopher who was trained as a physician. He wrote influential books on the young science of psychology, educational psychology, psychology of religious experience and mysticism, and on the philosophy of pragmatism...
, National Football League - Kosuke KimuraKosuke Kimurais a Japanese footballer who currently plays for the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.He is the only player in the league's history who was born in Japan, and was a starting defender for the Rapids in its run to the MLS Cup Championship in 2010.-College and amateur:Kimura's career in...
, Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada... - Gene LamontGene LamontGene William Lamont is a former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who managed the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League... - Rob LazeoRob LazeoRobert "Rob" Lazeo is a retired professional Canadian football offensive lineman who spent 14 seasons playing in the Canadian Football League. He spent the last four years of his career with the Calgary Stampeders where he won the 96th Grey Cup in the Stampeders' 2008 season...
, Canadian Football LeagueCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football.... - Mike McEachernMike McEachernMichael McEachern is a professional Canadian football defensive back who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the BC Lions. He was drafted by the Lions of the Canadian Football League in the third round of the 2008 CFL Draft. He played college football for the Western Illinois...
, Canadian Football League - Russ MichnaRuss MichnaRussell Walter Michna is a gridiron football quarterback who is currently a Free Agent of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2004...
, United Football League - J.R. Niklos, National Football League
- Paul ReuschelPaul ReuschelPaul Richard Reuschel is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball from 1975-79....
, Major League Baseball - Rick ReuschelRick ReuschelRickey Eugene Reuschel is a former professional baseball pitcher from the early 1970s into the early 1990s. His nickname was "Big Daddy" because of his portly physique...
, Major League Baseball - Mike ScifresMike ScifresMichael T. Scifres is a punter for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League.-High school:Scifres attended Destrehan High School in Destrehan, Louisiana and lettered in football, soccer, and baseball. In football, he was an All-District selection...
, National Football League - Rich SeubertRich SeubertRich Seubert is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants out of Western Illinois University in 2001. Seubert lives in Wayne, New Jersey.-High school career:...
, National Football League - Aaron SteckerAaron SteckerAaron Stecker is a former American football running back. He was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He played college football at Western Illinois....
, National Football League - Mike WagnerMike WagnerMichael Robert Wagner is a former American football player with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He won four Super Bowls as a safety on the famed Steel Curtain defense.-Playing career:...
, National Football League - Jason WilliamsJason Williams (American football)Jason X. Williams is an American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Cowboys in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
, National Football League - Frank WintersFrank WintersFrank Mitchell Winters is a former American football center in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Green Bay Packers...
, National Football League - Frisman JacksonFrisman JacksonFrisman Jackson is a former American football wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League...
, National Football League