Tom McDevitt, Former EIU Baseball Coach, Dies At Age 88

McDevitt was born December 25, 1904 in Effingham, Illniois and died at the age of 88.

He played baseball at Eastern in the 1950's, leading the team in hitting with a .474 average in 1955. He earned All-IIAC honors as a second baseman during 1955 and 1956.

He played in the minor leagues for the St. Louis Cardinals.

He was the Eastern Illinois University baseball coach from 1978 to 1988 where he had 11 consecutive winning seasons and finished with 299 victories. Two of his teams went to the NCAA Division II College World Series where they took second in 1981 and fifth in 1978.

After his tenure at Eastern, McDevitt became a Major League Baseball scout.

His furneral service will be held Saturday, July 22 at Sacred Heart Church. Visitation will be Friday, July 21 from 4-7 p.m. at Bauer Funeral Home.