University News

Former Coach Bruce Craddock Recognized

November 4, 2015

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From WIU Athletics

MACOMB, IL – As part of the annual Military Appreciation Game at Western Illinois University Oct. 31, former Head Coach Bruce Craddock, a Marine Corps veteran, was honored in true Leatherneck fashion as a members of Craddock's Marines Corps Officer's Class, TBS Class 6-67, honored Craddock's legacy by presenting a Marine Corps Officer's Sword, symbolic of United States Marine Corps leadership and courage, to Western Illinois University. Craddock served as WIU's 15th head football coach from 1983 until his death in 1990. He was a Marine captain for 3.5 years and served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1970.

In addition to the ceremonial sword presentation, the 1988 Western Illinois University Leatherneck Football team, one of the most successful teams in WIU football history, returned to Hanson Field last weekend to honor their former head coach. Prior to kickoff, Craddock's widow Karen (Craddock) Henderson was present on the field for the coin flip.

"Saturday was special day for Leatherneck Athletics. It's hard to imagine a better way to honor Coach Craddock and his indelible mark on Leatherneck Football than the presence of his former student-athletes and Marine Corps brethren, as well as having Karen join us as an honorary captain for the pre-game coin flip," said Interim Athletic Director Matt Tanney.

Craddock, who won his second consecutive Gateway Conference Coach of the Year honor and was named the 1988 Kodak Division I FCS Regional Coach of the Year, led the Leathernecks to an undefeated 6-0 Gateway Conference record. Western lost in the opening round of the FCS playoffs and finished with a 10-2 overall record.

The 1988 squad set six offensive school records, produced (at the time) the third-highest scoring team in WIU history and recorded the eighth-best total defense mark. The offense averaged 388 yards per game, while the defense allowed just over 290.

The record-breaking Gateway Conference champions concluded the season as the third- ranked FCS team in the nation, after having been ranked as high as number two for the previous four weeks.

"It's obvious when I meet with alums the positive influence Coach Craddock had on the young men he coached," said current WIU head coach Bob Nielson. "It is an honor to follow in the footsteps of outstanding coaches who are a big part of the Western Illinois tradition."

In April 1989, Craddock was diagnosed with liver cancer. His doctors told him exposure to defoliant Agent Orange in Vietnam caused his illness. His battle with cancer was an inspirational testimony to his never-give-up philosophy, which made his teams successful and made him one of the most respected coaches in his field.

Craddock was posthumously inducted into the WIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991. The Missouri Valley Football Conference's "Coach of the Year" award is named in his honor, as is the annual WIU spring football game.

In addition, friends and family established the Bruce Craddock Memorial Scholarship in 1990 to honor his outstanding contributions. The scholarship is awarded each year to a graduate assistant or student manager (for the football team) who represents all the outstanding characteristics possessed by Craddock.

Posted By: WIU Athletics (SID@wiu.edu)
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