Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU Track Legend Dies at 101
3/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | MTF
March 25, 2005
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Former Central Michigan University athlete and coach Lyle Bennett died here on Thursday, March 24, at the age of 101.
CMU's outdoor track is named the Lyle Bennett Track after Bennett who coached the Chippewas from 1947-70. His CMU teams won 11 Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, nine outdoor (including his final six teams) and two indoor.
Bennett, who posted a career dual meet record of 118-81, coached such Chippewa standouts as Jim Podoley, Walter Beach, Ed VanderHeuval, Tom Mayville, Willie Adkins, Dave Myers, Ken Blalock and Jim Nesbitt. He also coached CMU football for three years from 1947-49.
"Lyle was a legendary Chippewa as a great athlete, educator and coach," said CMU Athletics Director Herb Deromedi. "He also was a wonderful ambassador for this university for many, many years."
Bennett, an outstanding athlete from 1925-27 for the Chippewas, earned two letters each in football, baseball and track.
Lyle, who earned an incredible 20 letters at Rockford High, is a member of the Helms Narional Hall of Fame, the Alma College Hall of Fame and the CMU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Both the visitation and funeral are set for Monday, March 28, at Helms Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant. Visitation will be from noon until 2 p.m. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Rockford where there will be a grave-side service.
