Hall of Fame
Fred Adair began working for Western Illinois University on May 1, 1967 and began a career that would span the next 44 years. He started in the Grounds Department as a Grounds Worker.
Two years later he moved up to Equipment Operator. After a brief two-month stay in Florida in 1974, Adair returned to Western in his previous job. He would work on the maintenance of the athletic fields, then when he was promoted to Landscape Maintenance Grounds Forman in October 1992 he oversaw all of the fields on campus.
He worked on the fields at Hanson Field (football/track and field), Mary Ellen McKee Stadium (softball), John MacKenzie Alumni Field (soccer), Boyer Stadium (baseball), three football practice fields and one soccer practice field. Thousands of Leatherneck student-athletes benefited from Adair’s dedication and attention to detail to the maintenance of more than 200 acres of playing surfaces.
His reputation extended to St. Louis, as for nine years he supervised taking care of three NFL-quality football practice fields the St. Louis Rams used during their training camp stay at Western.
Adair worked with numerous coaches throughout the years, providing a top-quality playing surface for their program and the student-athletes. He always gave of his time freely, whether it was nights, weekends or no matter the weather conditions, and made sure the workers he oversaw in the Facilities Management department took the best care possible of the facilities.
In June 2011 he retired from Western. He’s a member of the University Baptist Church where he has served as a Trustee and on the Education Council. He and his wife Kay also keep busy with seven grandchildren, traveling, playing cards and dining out with friends. They enjoy attending BCA events and attending Leatherneck Football and Basketball games.
Adair had three children graduate from Western. Tressa (Adair) Wheeler earned a bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration in 1992. Tye Adair received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1996, and Tracey Adair received a bachelor’s degree in LEJA and sociology in 2000.
“I am thankful to the selection committee for the honor, I'm deeply moved. I want to say thank you to all the people in the Grounds Department who helped me achieve this honor. Without them it would not have been possible," said Adair.
"During my time at Western I had the honor and privilege to know and appreciate the administration, coaching staff, co-workers and student workers. I cherish the memories… Coach “P” calling every game week telling me the height he wanted the grass, most of the time it didn’t make a difference. Coach Dick Pawlow covered in turface while getting ready for a baseball game. Coach John MacKenzie moving the water reels between classes by hand. Coach Eric Johnson pulling the reel with his motorcycle,” said Adair. “I remember Holly Van Vlymen helping roll up the field tarp as a player and now as the head coach. I remember shoveling snow with Kathy Veroni to get the softball field ready. Diane Bruns was such a great person to work with and always made my job easy.”
