Popular Westville educator who was part of a talented group of Danville area ex-servicemen recruited by former coach Al Miller to revive the sports program during the postwar years. He quickly emerged as one of the top basketball players in the rugged CCI Conference as Illinois College became a league contender in the sport. He captained the 1950-51 IC squad and went on to earn letters in football and baseball in addition to basketball. During a career that saw him devote over 35 years to working with youth in the Westville School District, Vilk spent long hours as coach of basketball, track and football at the junior high and high school levels. In 1988, he was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.