2011 Distinguished Alumni - Dierking
Scott E. Dierking - Class of 1973
2011 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award - Athletics
Scott Dierking continues to be a household name to many who had the opportunity to see his athletic prowess on the football field. He is part of a family legacy of football excellence, yet remains humble and dedicated to the virtues of integrity and teamwork that were instilled in him at Community High School.
Scott, a third generation West Chicagoan, attended Community High School from 1969-73 where he excelled both athletically and academically. An honor roll student and superb athlete, he was a star running back for the Wildcats, gaining well over 1,200 each of his junior and senior years. Scott led the 1971 Wildcats to a 6-2 record and the 1972 team to a 7-1 record capturing that year’s Little Seven Conference title. The success of the 1972 team brought the attention of college recruiters, regional news media including Chicago’s WLS television cameras, large crowds and an increased sense of excitement to West Chicago football.
He wore Jersey number 25 in honor of his father, Edward Dierking, Class of 1952, who was also a star running back at Community High School. Scott actually broke many of his father’s school records. In his junior and senior years, Scott was named to the All State football team, and in his senior year he was named All American. He was also an outstanding wrestler and as a senior he won the State Championship in the 185 pound weight class.
Scott was highly recruited out of high school and chose to attend Purdue University, where he once again excelled as a running back. While continuing to wear jersey number 25, he led the Boilermakers in rushing, was named a first-team All Big Ten selection in 1976, Purdue’s Outstanding Senior, and still remains the 4th leading rusher in school history. In 1977 he received a B.S. Degree in Economics from the Purdue School of Business and was drafted in the 4th round by the New York Jets of the National Football League.
As a New York Jet, he starred as running back from 1977 through 1983, scoring 18 career touchdowns while continuing to wear jersey number 25. He finished his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1984, where at 30 years of age a knee injury ended his football career.
Scott went from one highly successful profession in athletics to another successful one in business. He is the Vice President of Comprehensive Service for the Hill Group in Franklin Park, Illinois and continues to apply the virtues he learned while competing in sports to his role in the business world.
“In the world of business and athletics, if you surround yourself with people of integrity and a common goal, great things will happen." S. Dierking
Although Scott, who resides in Wheaton with his wife, Erin, and three children, has not been seen starring on the football fields for some time, the Dierking name and familiar jersey number 25 have recently graced the high school and college fields as sons Dan and Shane continued the family legacy in football excellence.
The CHS Education Foundation honors Scott E. Dierking, Class of 1973, with the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award for Athletics.