Oldest Alumnus Jerome Van Meter Dies at 102

April 24, 2003

Jerome Van Meter, a member of Illinois Wesleyan's Class of 1922, died Wednesday (April 23) in Beaver, W.Va. At 102, he was the University's oldest alumnus.

A native of Williamsville, Ill., Van Meter majored in mathematics and science and was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball.

After graduating from the University, VanMeter moved to Point Pleasant, W.Va., to accept a coaching job. Seven years later he went to Beckley, W.Va., where he built a legend as the "Gray Eagle," leading Beckley Woodrow Wilson High School to six state championships in basketball and three state titles in football during a 30-year career.

He left coaching on 1959 and became principal of Beckley Junior High School. He retired from the public school system in 1966, then taught for six years at Beckley College. He was inducted into the National High School Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

In the summer 2002 edition of Illinois Wesleyan University Magazine, Van Meter said "I always insisted on discipline.If you didn’t have discipline you couldn’t play for me. The greatest athlete in the world is not necessarily going to be beneficial to your team if he can’t follow coaching directions and work as part of a team."

• Read the entire magazine profile.

Van Meter was predeceased by his wife, Aline, in 1998. They had no children.

"The 'Gray Eagle' shall be missed by all," Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., told the Beckley Register-Herald. "He was a legend to all of Raleigh County and West Virginia. The manner in which he treated his players set the highest standards for coaches across the country. He was first-class in every respect."

• Associated Press story on Jerome Van Meter's death

• Obituary from the Beckley Register-Herald