Ronald Reagan played game at Western

Miscellaneous discussions. Things that don't have anything to do with Western, Leatherneck Athletics, college sports in general, etc.
Post Reply
User avatar
Western_101
Posts: 1197
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 12:09 pm
Location: Morton, IL

I was looking through the media guide and noticed some match ups quite a while back against Eureka College.

I know that President Reagan attended Eureka from 1928-to Spring of 1932. I know that he was on team at some point in some capacity. Eureka would have played in Macomb in 1928 and 1930. I was curious if any members on this board were at those games ;) and can confirm if "Dutch" Reagan competed against our beloved vintage Leathernecks.

I just thought that would be an interesting connection/footnote in history.


Image

Image
necknerd
Posts: 9
Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2016 9:18 am

I have not been able to find emphatic confirmation that Reagan played against Western in Macomb in 1930, but I did find reference to him traveling to Peoria to play against Bradley on October 3, 1930. So, her was certainly both on the team and on the traveling squad...sooo....logically he travelled to Macomb to play on October 10, 1930.

https://books.google.com/books?id=k06fz ... ll&f=false
User avatar
sealhall74
Posts: 5770
Joined: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:18 pm
Location: Wherever, Windblows

Did we have a swimming team back then? The Gipper was a better swimmer than football player. As a lifeguard between ages of 15 and 22, he rescued 77 swimmers from the Rock River near his home in Dixon.
Embrace the pace of the race.
rocki
Posts: 1510
Joined: Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:08 pm

Well, there was a swimming team with 1 member in 1930.....
http://collections.carli.illinois.edu/c ... 916/rec/27
User avatar
Western_101
Posts: 1197
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 12:09 pm
Location: Morton, IL

Thanks Necknerd, Good info. Good name too.
beauspencer
Posts: 147
Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 1:24 pm

Yes, Reagan did compete against Western in a swim meet and finished second in his particular event. I found an article from the Macomb Journal with his name and event place mentioned while I was researching men's basketball. I can't remember if that event was held at WIU, though.
Post Reply