Eduardo "Eddie" Gil
Men's Soccer/Wrestling (1983-1985)
1984 Men’s Soccer NJCAA All-American
Waubonsee’s 1985 Male Athlete of the Year
Region IV Soccer Player of the Year in 1984
NJCAA Wrestling Academic All-American in 1984 and 1985
Skyway Conference 134-lb. Wrestling Champion in 1985
Long before he became a leader in the legal community, Eduardo “Eddie” Gil was a leader on the soccer field and wrestling mat at Waubonsee. He was one of Waubonsee’s biggest stars when soccer competition was in its’ infancy during the early 1980’s. “My time at Waubonsee was the best time I’ve ever had,” he said.
Gil was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and moved to the United States with his family when he was 6 years old. He graduated from Aurora West High School in 1983 and then starred for the Chiefs’ soccer and wrestling squads the next two years. Gil transferred to Northern Illinois University where he earned bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and History in 1987; and a law degree in 1990.
Gil filed his biggest motions on the soccer field where he earned NJCAA All-American status as a freshman. He also headed up the All-Region IV Soccer team that year and was the runner-up for Region IV Player of the Year. Gil then captained the Chiefs’ nationally-ranked team his sophomore season. On the mat he was part of Waubonsee’s Skyway Conference Champion wrestling squad his freshman year. He also captained the 1985 wrestling squad and captured the Skyway Conference’s 134-pound title that season. He excelled in the classroom too, being named an NJCAA Wrestling Academic All-American in 1984 and 1985. Gil capped his sophomore year by being named WCC’s Male Athlete of the Year.
Success has continued for Gil beyond his athletic endeavors as partner and owner of the Aurora-based law firm of Gil & Cruz. His firm specializes in serving the area’s Hispanic and Latino populations, and was honored in both 2005 and 2007 as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year. Gil was previously honored by Waubonsee as one of the college’s “Fab 40” Alumnus, and earlier as the college’s 1996 Distinguished Alumnus. He resides in Sugar Grove with his wife Martha and their two children, Megan, 14, and Alexander, 12.