Sept. 8, 2009

WIU Head Coach Stan Hyman Passes Away

Stan Hyman, the head coach at Western Illinois, passed away Saturday after battling leukemia for the past month.

Hyman, 50, led the Leathernecks for eight seasons. He earned his 350th career victory on May 16 against Centenary. Hyman also guided WIU to wins over Long Beach State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Iowa, Kansas State, Michigan State, UIC and Oral Roberts. 

Before joining the Leathernecks, Hyman was head coach for three years at Rutgers-Newark. He began his coaching career at Albright (Pa.) College, serving as pitching coach for two seasons before becoming the all-time winningest head coach (116-59-1). Three times during his 15 years as a head coach, Hyman was named coach of the year.

Prior to his coaching career, Hyman was a press agent from 1982-85. He represented professional athletes such as boxer Roberto Duran and football star Bubba Smith. As president of the Los Angeles-based Hyman & Associates, he also represented recording artists such as Al Jarreau and Kim Carnes.

A former sportswriter and music columnist, Hyman's work appeared in such publications as Rolling Stone, Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Globe, Chicago Sun-Times, Interview, and Dallas Morning News.

Hyman is survived by his wife, Robin, and three children: Cara, 22; Mychal, 18; and Jordan, 11.

(photos courtesy of WIU Media Relations Office)