Massey Basketball: Streaks Alumni Profile- Eric Doss 1976

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Streaks Alumni Profile- Eric Doss 1976

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Eric Doss from the GHS class of 1976.

Eric had an excellent career as a multi-sport athlete for the Streaks. He was a guard, who seemed to be able to often make the big play on the Streaks Elite 8 basketball team.

While he had a great basketball career, he was outstanding as a baseball player. Eric went onto play baseball for Western Illinois.

Favorite Teacher / Classes

Social Studies: Mr. Busse, Mr. Patterson, Mr. Kuster, American Studies, Mr. Swanson (English at Lombard)

Best Memories from Galesburg and GHS

Participating in basketball and baseball (also played QB in football but I injured my knee as a sophomore, so I decided to focus more on the other 2 sports).

I always knew baseball was my best sport and wanted to pursue that in college.

Playing in front of huge crowds at home and on the road in basketball. We never lost at Quincy in two years; and played at Wharton Fieldhouse (awesome)!

March Madness, beating Richwoods at home, and then marching through Peoria defeating Manual and Woodruff at the historic Robertson Fieldhouse.

Elite 8 at Champaign, lost by 5 to Morgan Park---and wish we could have a do-over on that one.

Played in the very first IL HS All Star Baseball game

My coaches, Hickey, Denisar, Devore, Bruington, Owens, Swanson

Our junior year (during the summer) coach Bru had me, Stoney (Jay Stone), and Dwyer (Bill) paint his garage, and maybe his house? I think he thought he was saving money, but it probably took us knuckleheads a month to complete the job, and Mrs. Bruington made us lunch every day!

Education After GHS

Went to Western Illinois on a baseball scholarship. Started for 4 years at 3rd base. Left with a few season and career records, Doubles, RBI’s Total Bases. Long since gone. (Business degree)

I have always felt Western gave me a well-rounded education, 2 years in the dorm and the 2 years off campus.

I was able to play for the Galesburg Pioneers in the CICL (Central Illinois Collegiate league, summer) top competition (2 seasons)

My sophomore summer, I played for the Grand Junction Colorado Eagles with guys from Az State, Texas, Clemson, Houston and many larger schools. (Played 65 games in 60 days) Performed well after breaking into the lineup, hitting .360 or so with 9 Home Runs. At the end of the season, myself and 6 or 7 of the Eagles were invited by Boulder to play in the NBC (National Baseball Congress) tournament in Wichita, KS. (60-70 teams from around the US).

I remember flying out of the Quad Cities and did not know anyone in Grand Junction, but it was great to expand my scope. A few guys met us at the airport and drove right to the field for batting practice!

Boulder Collegians won the NBC in 1978! Boulder and GJ had great summer baseball, with previous players such as Bob Hoerner, Paul Molitor, Bob Welch, Joe Maddon, Tony Gwynn, Joe Carter and many others.

Career

I graduated from WIU and moved to Houston, TX and worked in the logistics and transportation industry.

I have worked for several companies in my career, Airco Gases, Pepsico, Kraft, McKesson Pharmaceuticals (others) and have relocated from Houston to Alabama to Atlanta to Denver to Memphis to now the Chicago area

Completed my Masters (MBA) in 2001 at the University of Memphis

Today

Based in the Western suburbs of Chicago, but split time between Chicago and Charleston, SC. Our daughter, son in law, and granddaughter live in Charleston, so that is a big draw!

Met my wife Sharon, in Houston and we just celebrated our 41-year anniversary last February.

Still working, managing 12 Distribution centers in North America, including US, Latin America and Canada sites.

Our son lives in Portland, OR so we have kids about as far apart as possible.

Staying active and enjoy golf a couple of times a week!