IWU Athletics Mourns the Passing of Dick Van Scyoc

Van Scyoc graduated from IWU in 1949

8/8/2022 1:45:00 PM

Peoria Journal Star Story

The Illinois Wesleyan University community mourns the loss of Richard "Dick" Van Scyoc, a 1949 IWU graduate, and incredibly successful high school basketball coach. He passed away Friday, Aug. 5, at the age of 98 surrounded by his family.

Van Scyoc, a member of IWU's Order of Titans, enjoyed a 45-year high school coaching career following his graduation from Illinois Wesleyan. He won 826 games overall, including 543 at Peoria's Manual High School over a 28-year run. Van Scyoc, known as "Coach Van" to the many he impacted, guided the Rams to an Illinois state championship in the 1993-94 season, his final year on the sidelines.

A member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame as well as the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame, he was named the TriCounty Sports Figure of the Year in 1991. Under his leadership, MHS finished second in the AA in 1991, third in 1986 and 1988, and fourth in 1972.

A native of Eureka, Ill., Van Scyoc began his coaching career with stops at Armington and Washington before taking the reins at Manual in 1966. He retired from coaching at the age of 70 as the state's all-time winningest coach in boys basketball victories. Overall, his teams also won the Pontiac Holiday tournament eight times (once at Washington and seven times at Manual).

He is survived by his wife, Karen, and his daughters Gwen and Jan.

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