Knox College Athletics

Derrick Freeman is an individual who has always won the respect of those around him by his personal example of hard work, dedication, and leadership.  During his four years at Knox, he was one of the most widely respected students in the entire student body.
           
Derrick came to Knox in the fall of 1983 and immediately won a starting position on the football team as a safety on defense.  Despite his desire to play defense throughout his college career, he switched to offense as a running back as a sophomore and then led his team in rushing for the next three years.  He was co-captain of the football team his senior year and was selected as an honorable mention Small College All-American that same year as well.  Derrick was an all-conference performer in 1987 and was voted by his teammates as the MVP that season in the Knox-Monmouth game.  He was a powerful and explosive runner through the line, but exhibited quickness to the outside and the ability to cut back through the secondary.  He teamed with outstanding Knox quarterbacks from that era which resulted in him being considered one of the best pass receivers out of the backfield in the midwest conference.  He also lettered in basketball, competing in that sport for only one season.
           
Derrick was equally talented on the track team, serving as co-captain for two years.  His leadership skills his senior year were particularly evident when Knox won the Midwest Conference track championship.  He was an outstanding sprinter and was a member of both the 4x100 and 4x400 meter first place conference relay teams that season.  His track coach, Randy Oberembt, is quoted as saying, "Derrick Freeman had the ability to make others compete and respect him through his personal conduct and his athletic prowess."
           
Following his graduation from Knox, Derrick went on to earn his MBA from the University of Illinois, Chicago.  Today he lives with his wife, Stephanie, and two children, Desiree and Derrick "Dietor", Jr., in Chicago and is employed as a Senior Financial Analyst with Unitrin, Incorporated.