E. A. Diddle

Biography

E. A. Diddle was born in Gradyville, Adair County, Kentucky on March 12, 1895. He joined Western in 1922 as athletic director, receiving an A. B. degree in 1935. He coached football until 1929 and baseball until 1957, but achieved his greatest success as men's basketball coach from 1922 to 1964. Diddle's record of 759-302 was the best record held by a college coach at the time of his retirement. He coached his teams to thirteen K.I.A.C. and eight S.I.A.C. championships as well as ten O.V.C. titles.

During games he waved, threw and chewed on a towel to calm his nervousness and express his emotions; today, red towels are a revered tradition at Western games. Diddle was awarded many honors including induction into the Kentucky and Ohio Valley Conference Athletic Halls of Fame. On December 7, 1963, Western's new basketball arena was dedicated as the E. A. Diddle Arena in honor of Coach Diddle. He was inducted into Western's newly created Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991, and was inducted into the Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1992. Diddle died on January 2, 1970.

Collection

Personal correspondence, including get well cards and letters. Inscribed photo album documenting administration of Governor Lawrence Wetherby. Congratulatory letters and clippings on award of "Kentuckian of the Year" for 1957. Telegrams of support sent during the Hilltoppers' participation in the National Invitational Tournament, Sugar Bowl and other tournaments during the 1940s and 1950s. Letters and program regarding induction into Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame. Reel-to-reel and cassette taped interviews. Copies of numerous articles about Diddle in regional and national publications. Photographs. Copy of C. Harvey Gardiner's book Coach Diddle, Mr. Diddle: Motivator of Men (1984). Numerous awards, plaques and citations.