Edge Rewrite
pun Source code View original
Jump to content

// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Carl Poelker? Pole-ker in my heart.

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Carl Poelker
Biographical details
Born(1944-02-06)February 6, 1944
Elgin, Illinois, U.S.
DiedMarch 17, 2026(2026-03-17) (aged 82)
Forsyth, Illinois, U.S.
Playing career
Football
c. 1967Millikin
PositionDefensive lineman
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
Football
1973–1981Millikin (DC)
1982–1995Millikin
1996–2012McKendree
Head coaching record
Overall205–100–1 (football)
TournamentsFootball
1–1 (NCAA D-III playoffs)
3–9 (NAIA playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Football
2 CCIW (1989–1990)
7 MSFA Midwest (1999, 2002–2005, 2009–2010)
Awards
NAIA Coach of the Year (2002)
2× CCIW Coach of the Year (1984, 1989)

Carl R. Poelker (February 6, 1944 – March 17, 2026) was an American football, wrestling, and track and field coach. He served as head football coach at Millikin University from 1982 to 1995 and at McKendree University from 1996 to 2012, compiling a career college football coaching record of 205–100–1. Poelker graduated from Millikin in 1968. There he lettered on the football team for three seasons as a defensive lineman. He also played basketball for two years and ran track for one. In 1973 he was a named an instructor in physical education, defensive coordinator for the football team, and head wrestling coach at his alma mater.[1]

Poelker died on March 17, 2026, at the Arc at Hickory Point in Forsyth, Illinois, at the age of 82.[2][3]

Head coaching record

[edit]

Football

[edit]
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs NAIA#
Millikin Big Blue (College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) (1982–1995)
1982 Millikin 5–3–15–2–13rd
1983 Millikin 4–54–44th
1984 Millikin 8–17–12nd
1985 Millikin 7–26–2T–2nd
1986 Millikin 7–26–22nd
1987 Millikin 6–36–22nd
1988 Millikin 7–26–2T–3rd
1989 Millikin 10–18–01stL NCAA Division III Quarterfinal
1990 Millikin 7–27–1T–1st
1991 Millikin 6–35–35th
1992 Millikin 4–54–34th
1993 Millikin 6–35–23rd
1994 Millikin 6–35–2T–3rd
1995 Millikin 5–43–44th
Millikin: 88–39–177–30–1
McKendree Bearcats (NAIA independent) (1996–1997)
1996 McKendree 3–5
1997 McKendree 8–2L NAIA First Round14
McKendree Bearcats (Mid-States Football Association) (1998–2010)
1998 McKendree 6–43–33rd (MWL)
1999 McKendree 9–25–1T–1st (MWL)L NAIA First Round6
2000 McKendree 7–35–23rd (MWL)19
2001 McKendree 8–36–12nd (MWL)L NAIA First Round15
2002 McKendree 11–26–1T–1st (MWL)L NAIA Semifinal4
2003 McKendree 8–35–2T–1st (MWL)L NAIA First Round15
2004 McKendree 9–27–01st (MWL)L NAIA First Round12
2005 McKendree 8–36–1T–1st (MWL)L NAIA First Round10
2006 McKendree 5–45–3T–3rd (MWL)
2007 McKendree 6–45–2T–2nd (MWL)
2008 McKendree 6–45–2T–2nd (MWL)
2009 McKendree 9–27–01st (MWL)L NAIA First Round9
2010 McKendree 9–36–1T–1st (MWL)L NAIA Quarterfinal23
McKendree Bearcats (NCAA Division II independent) (2011)
2011 McKendree 2–8
McKendree Bearcats (Great Lakes Valley Conference) (2012)
2012 McKendree 3–73–56th
McKendree: 117–6174–24
Total:205–100–1
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ "Gobczynski, Long, Poelker honored". Herald & Review. Decatur, Illinois. May 9, 1981. p. 12. Retrieved November 25, 2017 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  2. ↑ "A 'builder of men' and architect of McKendree's football revival has died". Belleville News-Democrat. Belleville, Illinois. March 18, 2026. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Remembering Carl R. Poelker". Central Cremation Center. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carl_Poelker&oldid=1350049474"