No one was more instrumental than Debbie Kilby in the development of the women’s athletic programs at Illinois College during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Over a period of seven years, Kilby coached the softball, volleyball, basketball and tennis teams, and helped each program make the transition to the Midwest Conference. Her teams won a total of 138 contests from 1979 through 1985, and the 1982-83 basketball squad reached the IAIAW state playoffs for the first time. Kilby also directed the Lady Blues to the South Division basketball crown in 1984-85, and her 1983 softball team reached the league playoffs and qualified for IAIAW postseason play.