Hoffard at Center Stage During Hunting and Fishing Days

As the curtain is about to be lifted for the 20th Annual Southern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days Celebration, one person working behind the scenes stands out in the crowd. Even though he would rather remain out of the spotlight, Dwight Hoffard has had a leading role in the event since its inception.

"I can flat out tell you that there would be no Hunting and Fishing Days without Dwight Hoffard," said Ron Allen, a retired employee of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, an original cast member who helped bring about the event. "He is the one person who has kept it going for all these years. Most people have no idea what he has meant to this event."

This Saturday and Sunday, nearly 30,000 people will converge on the campus of John A. Logan College to participate in Hunting and Fishing Days, an event that includes everything from goose calling to catfish noodling.

"You have to be here to appreciate the size of this event," said Dr. Robert Mees, president of John A. Logan College. "To be able to hold this event on our campus is a great honor."

Hoffard is a long-time employee of John A. Logan College and oversees the college's maintenance department. Two years ago, when it looked like the event may be lost, Hoffard, a Johnston City resident, went before the board of trustees at John A. Logan College and asked for their help.

"Everyone at the college is impressed by Dwight's hard work and his commitment to Hunting and Fishing Days and I think that was the main reason the board was willing take this on as a college event," Mees explained. But each time, Hoffard turns the spotlight away.

"This event is here because of the wide support we get," Hoffard says. "The board of trustees deserve the credit; our corporate sponsors deserve the credit; our volunteers deserve the credit."

Allen says it does not surprise him that Hoffard takes the attitude he does. "Once we had to even lie to him to get him to accept an award," Allen said. "We were having a Hunting and Fishing Days dinner and the only way we could get him to come into the room where we were handing out the award was to tell him a light bulb was out." Greg Legan, a former employee of John A. Logan College, who has worked closely with Hoffard on the event for several years, said the fact that the event has survived 20 years is a testament to Hoffard's commitment.

"I have never seen a man work as hard as Dwight Hoffard," Legan said. But it is not just Hunting and Fishing Days Hoffard should be applauded for, Legan said. "It is hard for me to imagine an event in Southern Illinois during the past 20 years or more that involves hunting and fishing and young people that Dwight has not been a part of in some significant way," Legan said.

Hoffard said it was his father who taught him love for the outdoors. "I followed my father for many miles either hunting or fishing in Southern Illinois," Hoffard said. "I just believe I have a commitment to pass along the opportunity to enjoy outdoor opportunities in Southern Illinois to as many other young people as I can." And only then will Hoffard even consider resting long enough to take a bow.