Bob Dille was Valpo's first nationally-recognized All-American, earning the Helms Athletic Foundation honor in 1944.

He was joined on the list by such future pro athletes as George Mikan (DePaul) and Otto Graham (Northwestern). Dille was not an ordinary student-athlete as he entered VU at age 26 as a married man with a son. As a result, he worked 48 hours a week for McGill Manufacturing while carrying a full academic load.

After college Dille played pro basketball for Detroit in 1946-1947 before entering the coaching profession. Dille compiled a very impressive high school coaching career with stints at four different schools. His 1974 Fort Wayne Northrup team captured the Indiana High School Basketball State Championship. Dille was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989.