DIII50: Lon Erickson: An IWU Football Great

2/19/2024 1:00:00 PM

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of NCAA Division III, the Illinois Wesleyan University athletic department will highlight various stories of the Titans and their DIII history through a monthly series.

One of the best to ever don the Green and White, Illinois Wesleyan University football great Lon Erickson helped set the precedent for the Titan football program as a standout individual in the classroom and on the football field.

Erickson was a three-year starting quarterback back in the mid-1990's, coming to Illinois Wesleyan in 1993 as a freshman from Elburn, Ill., and a product of St. Charles High School. Erickson rewrote the record books with countless school records during his tenure at IWU. Erickson's mark on the program can still be seen in the stat books as he remains in the program's top five in seven individual career record categories.

Erickson's senior campaign produced one of the best seasons in the program's history, tying for the most wins in a single season with a 10-1 record on its way to a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Championship title and a second-round appearance in the NCAA playoffs. The only other time the Titans produced double-digit wins was during the 1992 season (10-1), both were under the direction of current head coach Norm Eash.

The 1996 season saw Erickson achieve his third All-CCIW selection in addition to being named the 1996 CCIW Most Outstanding Player and the fourth-ever recipient of the Gagliardi Trophy. The Gagliardi Trophy was first presented in 1993. Since that time, the award has become one of the leading collegiate football awards and is widely recognized as the premier individual award in Division III football, honoring excellence in athletics, academics, and community service.

Extending his talents to the classroom, Erickson earned First Team Academic All-American status as well as being named the 1997 Academic All-American of the Year, Illinois Wesleyan's first-ever honoree which has grown to include seven additional Titans earning the distinction.

Print Friendly Version

#DIII50