Whatever Happened to. . . Leland M.T. "Slim" Stilwell?

United Press International -- Leland Stilwell, at 6-feet-4, was the first “big center” ever to play basketball at the University of Illinois. He starred in that long ago era before the giants really took over, winning letters in 1922-23-24. He was an Olney product and led the Illini in scoring in 1924; when he was also named to the Big Ten all-star team. He also played football.

Stilwell made most points by an individual player in one single game. 34 (14 field goals and 6 free throws), Olney against Champaign in 1920. This record stood for 25 years.

In his first two seasons, the rules stipulated the best foul-shooter on the team could make all the free throw attempts for his teammates. But, in his senior year, the first in which each player had to shoot his own foul attempts, Stilwell poured in the “unheard of” total of 99 points for the season. It made him one of the great stars of the day.

He was named the University of Illinois team physician by the late George Huff in 1933 and also served as freshman basketball coach under his old coach, Craig Ruby, until 1935. He retired as team physician in 1971 when he was named I-Man of the year and retired from his general practice in 1975.

Stilwell was head of the Illinois Nursing Association. He served for many years since finishing medical school as the U of I Athletic Assn. Medical Corps and has been unusually successful in his surgery on knees. Many an Illinois athlete owes a great deal to the Olney product who was also the first “tall” boy to bob up in the IHSA’s annual short pants parade.

Register Mail, Galesburg, IL – Tuesday, October 7, 1958 & The Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL) – Tuesday, October 23, 1979

Services for Dr. Leland M.T. Stilwell, 77, Champaign, who died Thursday October 18, 1979, were held Monday at the Heath and Sons Funeral Home. Entombment was at Mount Hope Mausoleum in Urbana.

Dr. Stilwell was born October 16, 1902 in Stewartsville, son of Charles A. and Nellie (Perry) Stilwell. He married Marie Levitt August 3, 1929 at Alton. She survives.

Also surviving are his mother; a son, Thomas, Blue Springs, Mo.; a daughter, Betty King, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. and five grandchildren.

Dr. Stilwell was named team doctor for the fighting Illini team by George Huff in 1933 and served at the same time as freshman basketball coach under Craig Ruby until 1935. He remained as team physician through the 1970 season.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL) ~ October 24, 1979

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