Illinois high school legend received Woods-like attention

It's difficult to imagine what it must be like to be such a high-profile athlete that you can't go anywhere without getting mobbed.

What is it like to be Tiger Woods?

Does Woods ever do something as normal as stand in line at the Jewel or take his cars to the car wash?

Although he hasn't played for several years, Michael Jordan probably can't walk down any street without creating a scene.

Was there ever such a thing as a simple family night out for Brett Favre in Green Bay when he was playing for the Packers?

The price these superstars pay for their fame is enormous, but, of course, the pay they take to the bank also is immense.

If you think this public adulation is reserved for pro athletes or the college heroes, you're right -- in most cases.

However, it wasn't always that way.

A high school athlete once received the type of attention that would impress even a Woods, Jordan or Favre.

Yes, you read that right.

A high school athlete.

In fact, there are many people, particularly those of us in the senior citizen category, who will insist that Dwight "Dike" Eddleman of downstate Centralia High School was every bit as big a sports hero in Illinois in the 1940s as the superstars of today.

Eddleman's daughter, Diane Lenzi, wrote a wonderful book in 1997 about her dad, "Dike Eddleman: Illinois' Greatest Athlete."

The late Eddleman's name recently appeared in a news release from the University of Illinois regarding a promotion that is tied in to the Memorial Stadium Renaissance Celebration.

The school is conducting a contest to pick the greatest Illini football players of all time for different positions -- quarterback, receiver, running back, defensive back, defensive line, snappers, offensive line, and specialists (punters and place-kickers).

The greatest Fighting Illini in each category then will be recognized and introduced to the fans at the home football opener on Sept. 6.

It's interesting that you can vote for Eddleman, who died in 2001 at 78, as a specialist (punter) when he was anything but a specialist as a superb all-around athlete, who won 11 varsity letters at Illinois in football, basketball and track and field.

I got to meet Eddleman when my wife worked for the University of Illinois Alumni Association. He later was involved with the Fighting Illini Scholarship Fund.

I had heard stories about his legendary high school career at Centralia, and I'll admit I was in awe of him in our few conversations.

I even heard how he became known as "Dike."

When pronounced with the true Centralia "Southern drawl," Dwight sounds very much like Dike, and the name caught on in grade school.

The 6-foot-3 Eddleman received 12 varsity letters in high school.

He starred on the 1942 state championship basketball team and averaged 17.3 points in his varsity career, scoring 2,702.

Remember, the scores back then were not what we see today. Averaging 17.3 per game was remarkable for the early 1940s.

All-Stater Eddleman scored in double figures 56 times and more than 40 points six times with a high of 48.

He eventually became captain of the University of Illinois basketball team that played in the Final Four, and he was most valuable player in the Big Ten. He also played professional basketball.

Eddleman won three state high jump championships, qualified for the 1948 U.S. Olympic team and took home a silver medal from London.

As a football star, Eddleman played a key role on Illinois' 1947 Rose Bowl team.

However, it was his high school sports career that is unmatched in state history for its legendary status.

• When Eddleman wore his denim overalls rolled up just above his ankles, every boy in Centralia did the same.

• When coach Arthur Trout insisted his players wear caps so they wouldn't catch cold, Eddleman donned a corduroy hunting cap. Suddenly, every apparel store in Centralia had a sign in the window saying it was sold out of "Eddleman hats."

• Eddleman wore leather Lil'Abner style boots because they were the only pair of shoes he owned. Every youngster in town wanted a pair.

• Boys and girls would mob Eddleman at the movie theater, his favorite place to go on Sunday afternoons, just for a chance to be close to their idol.

• Hundreds of admirers stood outside the locker room or school after games, home and away, waiting for autographs or just a glimpse of the young superstar.

Just how big was Eddleman as a high school athlete?

Fan letters came addressed simply to "Eddlemanville." The postal service knew they belonged in Centralia, Ill.

Yes, that big.