The Kentucky Library and Museum Online

Much has been written about Coach Edgar A. Diddle of Western Kentucky State College. Coming to Western in 1922 and remaining until his death in 1970, truly he was loved by players, students, coaches, fans and the entire community of Bowling Green. His love for his college is possibly best evident in the fact that he was the first coach in history to coach 1,000 games at one school. Between 1948 and 1955, his Hilltoppers ranked in the Top 10 in scoring among major colleges for seven consecutive years. Diddle's record of 759-302 was the best record held by a college coach at the time of his retirement in 1964 and still ranks fourth on the all-time list.

Quite the showman, Diddle was one of the first coaches to advocate fast break basketball, creating much interest among spectators at N. I. T. tournaments in New York's Madison Square Garden. His use of a red towel to cheer and vent his emotions is legendary. Among his honors are his 1972 enshrinement in Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, induction into the Kentucky, Ohio Valley Conference, and Helms Athletic Foundation Halls of Fame, Kentucky Press Association's Outstanding Kentuckian of the Year (1957) and the 1963 naming of Western's basketball arena. To all who knew him and the generations since who have learned of his commitment to Western, Coach Diddle symbolizes the Spirit in play.

Visit E.A. Diddle in-house collection for more information about Coach Diddle and his collection in the University Archives.