PEORIA, Ill. -- John Dyke, who served as the Bradley Baseball team's volunteer assistant coach for 20 seasons, will receive the Bradley University Alumni B-Club Billy Stone Service Award during a halftime ceremony of Saturday night's men's basketball game against Indiana State at Carver Arena.
“Bradley owes a lot to the Dyke family,” said recently retired Bradley Baseball coach Dewey Kalmer. “Both he and his wife (Mandi) have done volunteer work for Bradley and John devoted 20 years of his life to riding buses and giving service to the baseball program. He was certainly a loyal and dedicated assistant and I am proud to call him my friend.”
A Peoria native and 1977 Bradley graduate, Dyke joined the Bradley coaching staff in 1989 and volunteered his time and talents to the Braves for 20 seasons through the 2008 campaign. Prior to joining the Bradley staff, Dyke began his coaching career at East Peoria High School in 1979 as an assistant baseball coach and became head coach in 1984, holding that position for five years. During his tenure at EPHS, his teams compiled a 102-52 record, gained three Mid-Illini Conference titles and won two regional championships. Dyke also enjoyed great success in American Legion Baseball, with his teams regularly competing for the state title.
Many of Dyke's former players went on to play collegiate baseball, including four who played for the Braves. Dyke still teaches speech and communications at East Peoria High School and has served as their debate coach for several years He also served as the annual chairman for the Illinois High School Association All-State games, which formerly were held in Peoria at Pete Vonachen Stadium.
Named after one of Bradley's finest former student-athletes, coaches and administrators, Billy Stone, the alumni letterwinner's service award was established in 1982 to honor the loyal volunteers who have supported Bradley's athletic programs for many years with their time, energy and/or financial support.
Billy Stone was a multiple letterwinner as a Brave and top draft pick off the Chicago Bears in 1951. Following his four-year playing career as a running back for the Bears, Stone returned to the Hilltop as Bradley's long-time football coach and also served as assistant athletic director. His many duties included oversight of his beloved B-Club, the University's alumni letterwinners' association.
Saturday's men's basketball game against the Sycamores will tip off at 6:05 p.m. at Carver Arena and will feature a special “Throwback” promotion. The Braves will wear replica uniforms from the 1985-86 season, the year the Braves ran the table in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 16-0 league record on the way to a final 32-3 mark and the second round of the NCAA Tournament. In addition, all fans will receive a t-shirt modeled after the 1985-86 jerseys and a limited number of Priority IV upper bowl tickets are available for the 1985-86 season price of $4.
