Skip To Main Content

Upcoming Events and Recent Results

Western Illinois University Athletics

Hanson Field
Larry Dean

'98 Leathernecks Return for Homecoming

The 1998 WIU football team will be returning to campus Homecoming Weekend to celebrate its 20-year reunion.

Honoring the tradition of Leatherneck Football, WIU Athletics will be hosting a reunion of the 1998 Western Illinois football team on Homecoming Weekend (September 28-29). The team will be celebrating its 20-year reunion. 

Arguably the greatest team in WIU history, the 1998 Leathernecks finished 11-3 and won the Gateway Football Conference title with a 5-1 mark. The defense paved the way, allowing a nation-best 9.4 points per game in the regular season, en route to an appearance in the NCAA Division I-AA Playoffs. 

Western advanced to the semifinals for the first time in school history, defeating Montana and Florida A&M before falling to Georgia Southern. The squad featured several all-conference honorees, including first-teamers Jeff Baker, David Bowens, Donnie Caldwell, James Milton, Aaron Stecker, and Dave Watson. James Milton was named the Gateway Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year and would go on to win the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in the country. Head coach Randy Ball was named the American Football Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year.  

"I am overjoyed to be able to come back to WIU to see all of my former teammates, coaches, and staff," said Josh McCall, an offensive lineman on the team and former Leatherneck assistant coach. "The 1998 Leatherneck football team was a special team during a special year in the history of Macomb football. The players were extremely talented, but more importantly, played with extreme passion and played for each other. The coaching staff was incredibly gifted, colorful and cared a great deal about the long-term success of each player. Twenty years has gone by in a hurry, and I couldn't be happier to get the opportunity to see everyone together again at Homecoming 2018."

Activities over the weekend will include a social at Sports Corner on Friday, September 28, from 6-8 p.m. Homecoming activities on Saturday, September 29, include breakfast at the WIU Alumni House at 9:30 a.m., the Homecoming parade at 10:30 a.m., and tailgating in Q-Lot beginning at 10:00 a.m. WIU Athletics will also recognize the 1998 team at halftime of the football game against Youngstown State.
 
Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Now Playing:

Related Stories