Career Highlights: Three-time NAIA National Champion in the 200-yard butterfly (1958, ’59, ’60); two-time national champion in the 200-yard individual medley (1958, ’59) and national champion as part of the 400-yard medley relay (1958); member of 1958 NAIA National Championship team; won AAU Jr. National 220-yard butterfly championship and set a national and American record for the event (1958); competed at the NCAA championships in 1959 in the 200-yard butterfly, placing 11th; three-time CCI Champion in the 200-yard butterfly and 200-yard individual medley; member of three CCI Championship teams.
Ernie Alix ’62 was an integral part of the swimming powerhouse at the College in the late 1950s and early ’60s. A high school All-American at Lockport Senior High School, he was recruited to the College by fellow Lockport, N.Y., native and coach Hal Henning ’41. In addition, two of his former teammates at Lockport also swam for the Cardinals, Dan Stump ’61 and Ed Bloomgren ’62.
Although he had offers from a number of schools, having teammates and a coach from the same hometown made a big difference in choosing North Central College. Alix wasted little time making an impact, winning national championships in the 200-yard butterfly and as part of the 400-yard medley relay team at the 1958 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championships to help the team to its first national title. He went on to repeat in the 200 butterfly in 1959 and 1960, as well as become national champion in the 200-yard individual medley (1959). Alix was just as impressive at the conference level, winning the College Conference of Illinois three straight years in both the 200-yard butterfly and 200-yard IM.
His fondest memory came at the 1958 NAIA National Championships when the Cardinals placed 1-2-3 in the 200-yard butterfly. Another highlight came in 1957 when Merner Field House was host to the National Junior Amateur Athletic Union 220-yard butterfly, and Alix set an American record in the event. Academically, he received a medal upon graduation for the highest grade-point average accumulated by an athlete.
After three years at North Central College, Alix left to attend law school at the University of Illinois. He returned to the College and assisted the swim team while completing his degree in political science in 1962. Alix went on to Southern Illinois University where he earned a master’s and doctorate in sociology. Alix spent one year at State University of New York-Buffalo as an assistant professor of sociology before returning to Southern Illinois as director of research for community development. He then spent 30 years in Southern’s sociology department and 10 years as associate dean of liberal arts. He retired in 1994.
Alix remains active in the master’s division for Olympic Sprint Kayaking, as well as on the national triathlon circuit (ages 40-55). He sails and restores classic wooden rowing shells. He has also authored two books: “Ransom Kidnapping in America: The Creation of a Capital Crime” and “Sociology: An Everyday Life Approach.”
Alix is married to Kathleen, and they have one adult son, Christopher.
