Illinois put Don Freeman on right path to good life
February 9, 2009 9:14 AM
The one-time Madison High star, a standout basketball player at the University of Illinois from 1963-66, returned to his collegiate home Sunday afternoon. A capacity crowd of 16,618 at Assembly Hall showered Freeman and former Illini player Eddie Johnson with ample affection during pre-game ceremonies of the Illinois-Purdue game. Both had their jerseys raised to the top of the Hall.
"It's great to be here and to go back to Madison," the 64-year-old Freeman said at halftime. "I never thought they would be hanging my jersey here."
Now, jersey No. 15 is flying high, with the rest of those Illini greats.
"I've come a long way and basketball gave me a chance to go to college," Freeman said. "Being the first in my family to get a (college) diploma is the greatest achievement of my life."
thetelegraph.com
"It's great to be here and to go back to Madison," the 64-year-old Freeman said at halftime. "I never thought they would be hanging my jersey here."
Now, jersey No. 15 is flying high, with the rest of those Illini greats.
"I've come a long way and basketball gave me a chance to go to college," Freeman said. "Being the first in my family to get a (college) diploma is the greatest achievement of my life."
thetelegraph.com
Filed under: Former Illini, Illini Basketball
