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Western Illinois Leathernecks

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Western Illinois Leathernecks
Logo
UniversityWestern Illinois University
ConferenceSummit League
Missouri Valley Football Conference
NCAADivision I
Athletic directorJames Bell
LocationMacomb, Illinois
Varsity teams16
Football stadiumHanson Field
Basketball arenaWestern Hall
Baseball stadiumAlfred D. Boyer Stadium
Softball stadiumMary Ellen McKee Softball Stadium
Soccer stadiumMacKenzie Alumni Field
Other venuesBrophy Hall Pool
Harry Mussatto Golf Course
WIU Tennis Facility
MascotColonel Rock (Live Bulldog), Rocky the Bulldog (Costumed Bulldog)
NicknameLeathernecks
Fight songWe're Marching On
ColorsPurple and gold[1]
   
Websitewww.goleathernecks.com

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.

WIU's nickname, the Leathernecks, and its mascot, the English bulldog, are taken from the traditions of the United States Marine Corps. The university has had permission to use the official nickname and mascot of the Corps since 1927, when Ray Hanson, then-athletic director and coach of the baseball, basketball and football teams, gained permission to use the symbols as a homage to his service in that military branch during World War I.[2] Western Illinois University is the only non-military university to use a military nickname.[2] Since the fall semester of 2009, the men's and women's teams have been unified under the Leathernecks name;[3] previously, the women's teams and athletes at the school had been known as the Westerwinds.

Teams

A member of The Summit League, Western Illinois University sponsors teams in ten men's and ten women's NCAA sanctioned sports:[4]

Baseball

The Western Illinois Leathernecks baseball team represents the university in NCAA Division I college baseball. The team is a member of The Summit League. It plays its home games at the 500-seat Alfred D. Boyer Stadium and are coached by Ryan Brownlee.

Men's basketball

Main article: Western Illinois Leathernecks men's basketball

The Western Illinois Leathernecks men's basketball team competes in NCAA Division I men's college basketball competition. The school's team is a member of The Summit League. The team plays it home games at 5,139-seat Western Hall and are coached by Billy Wright.[5]

Women's basketball

The Western Illinois Leathernecks women's basketball team is a member of The Summit League, which is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. The team plays its home games at 5,139-seat Western Hall.

Football

Main article: Western Illinois Leathernecks football

The Western Illinois Leathernecks football program competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and are members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The team has made numerous NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) playoff appearances. The Leathernecks have been ranked as high as number one and ranked number two numerous times. The team plays its home games at the 16,368 seat Hanson Field.

Softball

The Western Illinois Leathernecks softball team is a member of The Summit League, which is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. The team plays its home games at 500-seat Mary Ellen McKee Softball Stadium. The team has appeared in eight Women's College World Series, in 1970, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1982.[6]

Notable alumni

Western Illinois Leathernecks traditions

We’re Marching On

The name of the "official" fight song for Western Illinois University is "We’re Marching On".

Western Illinois University Marching Leathernecks

Main article: Western Illinois University Marching Leathernecks

The Western Illinois University Marching Leathernecks is the marching band which represents Western Illinois University.

Mascots

Colonel Rock

"Colonel Rock" is the "official" live bulldog mascot for Western Illinois University.

Rocky

"Rocky" is the "official" costumed bulldog mascot for Western Illinois University.

References

  1. ^ Western Illinois Leathernecks Athletics 2017–18 Branding & Style Guidelines (PDF). July 11, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "The Leatherneck Nickname". Western Illinois Athletics. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  3. ^ University Relations (2009-06-05). "University comes to decision on nickname unification". Western Illinois University. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
  4. ^ "Fighting Leathernecks". Western Illinois University. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  5. ^ http://www.goleathernecks.com/coaches.aspx?rc=439&path=mbball
  6. ^ Plummer, William; Floyd, Larry C. (2013). A Series Of Their Own: History Of The Women's College World Series. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States: Turnkey Communications Inc. ISBN 978-0-9893007-0-4.
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