Ditz lived
in the Perkins area for more than 40 years. His entire life was dedicated to his family, the community and it's
youth. Before his untimely death he started a fund, which would generate interest to provide college scholarships for
students of the PerkinsTryon Public School. The proceeds from the Perkins Car Show are added to this scholarship
fund. It is the purpose of the Cimarron Starlite Cruisers' Car Club to help carry on this great tradition which
"Coach Mac" began. Oh! by the way, Coach Mac's first new car was a "55 Crown Vic" about which he always said, "Why did
I sell that Ford? It would really run!"
The PerkinsTryon
community built and named the new football and track complex in honor of Coach Mac. The PerkinsTryon Public School District and
it's Board of Education provide their great facilities at the High School campus to assist the Cimarron Starlite Cruisers
Car Club with a wonderful site for the Perkins Car Show each year.
Ditz
attended the following Oklahoma Institutions:
Northern Community College AD
University
of Central Oklahoma BS
Oklahoma
State University MS
Ditz taught
US History, World History, Oklahoma History, and Driver's Education. He was the Athletics Director and High School Principal
while serving the PerkinsTryon School System. Ditz
coached football from 1957 to 1981 in the PerkinsTryon School System winning 14 district championships during that time. Ditz
coached State Champions in the Pole Vault, High Jump, 880 and the Mile while coaching Track and Field at PerkinsTryon.
He then coached from 1981 to 1986 at Langston University.
While working at Langston, Ditz taught in the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and worked in the Registrars'
Office until 2004. Ditz traveled to a large number of area Public Schools and delivered Langston University Class Schedules
each semester to assist with the recruitment of area students to attend Langston University.
HONORS:
Church Elder
Husband of
Jean
Father of Jim,
Valinda and Candy
Teaching and
Coaching the students of PerkinsTryon Schools
Teaching and
Coaching the students of Langston University
Oklahoma Coaches
Association Board of Control
Oklahoma Coaches
Hall of Fame Member
Oklahoma Track
Coaches Hall of Fame Member
Distinguished
Service Award
from the National
High School Athletic Coaches Association
Past President
of the Oklahoma Coaches Association
Coached the
All State Football Game
Coached the
Oil Bowl Game
Perkins Lions
Club President
Ditz McIlvain
Stadium
The proceeds from the Perkins Car Show go to the “Ditz
McIlvain Scholarship Fund”. The classic vehicle owners of Oklahoma and sponsors
of the Perkins Car Show have raised over $12600 the past three years for this fund.
If
you knew Ditz you know he loved the Big Bands and "A String of Pearls" by Glenn Miller was one of his favortites, but Kent
Taylor of Perkins was his favorite Band Leader. (Good Choice)