Wabash College Athletics

Bill Duchon came to Wabash in 1946 as a highly sought after Chicago-land linebacker. Afterall, all-city, all-Chicago Catholic League linebackers have for years been mainstays on Wabash football teams. A native of Oak Park, Illinois, and graduate of Fenwick High School, Duchon was a hard-hitting linebacker and offensive guard, who was a celebrated player for Coach Tony Lawless in high school. So good was he that he has since been inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame and the Fenwick High School Hall of Fame. At Wabash, was a member of several outstanding Little Giant teams, including the 1946 team which went 7-1-0. During his four years, Wabash posted a combined record of 21-8-3, and defensively the teams were even better. In 1946, Wabash shutout six of eight opponents and surrendered just 32 total points. Six more shutouts followed in his remaining games as a Little Giant for a total of 12 shutouts in four years. He was honored at Wabash as a Little All-American guard following the 1948 season. Bill did his graduate work at Indiana University. Upon completion of service in the Army, Bill coached at Crown Point High School and later at his alma mater, Fenwick. He joined the coaching staff of GIenbard West High School in 1959 and began to turn the program around. By 1968, Duchon had guided Glenbard to the West Suburban Conference championship for the first time since 1939 with an undefeated, untied season. Seven straight WSC championships followed with Glenbard teams making the playoffs every year. In 1976, Duchon took his team to the state championship where they lost in overtime to a St. Lawrence team which was rated number one nationally. The past president of the Illinois Football Coaches Association, Duchon is a member of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Glen bard West has recently renamed its football field in his honor, and a permanent scholarship has been set up in his name.