Illini Hall of Fame: The Inaugural Class

#1      

Dan

Dan
Admin
Dan
The University of Illinois introduced its Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2017 at the Hall of Fame Gala
http://www.fightingillini.com/news/...stars-align-at-chicago-hall-of-fame-gala.aspx

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The University of Illinois is celebrating its incredible athletics legacy by announcing the inaugural class of its Athletics Hall of Fame. Some of the greatest names in sport comprise the 28-person Class of 2017, dating back to the very first Fighting Illini football team in 1890 through the addition of women's varsity teams in the early 1970s, and continuing to coaches and athletes from the current century.
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http://www.fightingillini.com/news/...s-inaugural-athletics-hall-of-fame-class.aspx
http://uillinois_microsites.sidearmsports.com/halloffame/
 
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#2      

champaignchris

C
champaignchris
Red Kerr (basketball), Bobby Mitchell (football), and Ray Nitschke (football) all seem like pretty obvious omissions. I guess you have to save some people for future classes... I suppose.
 
#4      

MGR95

M
MGR95
champaignchris said:
Red Kerr (basketball), Bobby Mitchell (football), and Ray Nitschke (football) all seem like pretty obvious omissions. I guess you have to save some people for future classes... I suppose.
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I feel like they didn't save enough for future classes. Not sure if the plan is to have a new class each year and maybe the # in each class will vary, but 28 seems high even for the first one.
 
#5      

Wannabe Illini AD

W
Wannabe Illini AD
MGR95 said:
I feel like they didn't save enough for future classes. Not sure if the plan is to have a new class each year and maybe the # in each class will vary, but 28 seems high even for the first one.
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They do plan to have a new class every year, but I doubt future classes will be as large as this one.

As far as running out of candidates, they have a list of eligible individuals and it looks like it has plenty of names.

http://uillinois_microsites.sidearmsports.com/halloffame/img/HOF_Nominees.pdf

Some of the names already mentioned above are obviously more memorable than some of the other names on the list, but I don't think we are at risk of running out of candidates any time soon.
 
#8      

Ransom Stoddard

Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
Ransom Stoddard
Here's the full list:

Nick Anderson, Basketball (1988-89)
Lou Boudreau, Baseball/ Basketball (1937-38)
Dee Brown, Basketball (2003-06)
Tonja Buford-Bailey, Track and Field (1990-93)
Dick Butkus, Football (1962-64)
Jerry Colangelo, Basketball/Contributor to Sport (1960-62)
Dwight "Dike" Eddleman, Football/Track/Basketball (1943, 1947-49)
Perdita Felicien, Track and Field (2000-03)
Harry Gill, Track Coach (1904-29, 31-33)
Harold "Red" Grange, Football (1923-25)
Abie Grossfeld, Gymnastics (1957-60)
George Halas, Football/Basketball/Baseball/Contributor to Sport (1916-18)
George Huff, Football/Football Coach/Baseball Coach/Athletics Director (1901-36)
Mannie Jackson, Basketball/Contributor to Sport (1958-60)
Karol Kahrs, Coach / Athletics Administration (1966-2000)
Nancy Thies Marshall, Gymnastics (1976-77)
Herb McKenley, Track & Field (1946-47)
Allie Morrison, Wrestling (1927-29)
Harold Osborn, Track & Field (1920-22)
Andy Phillip, Basketball/Baseball (1942-43, 47)
Renee Heiken Slone, Golf (1990-93)
Steve Stricker, Golf (1986-89)
Mary Eggers Tendler, Volleyball (1985-88)
Craig Tiley, Tennis Coach (1992-2005)
Craig Virgin, Cross Country (1973-77)
Deron Williams, Basketball (2003-05)
Claude "Buddy" Young, Football/Track & Field (1944, 46)
Robert Zuppke, Football Coach (1913-41)


http://www.fightingillini.com/news/...s-inaugural-athletics-hall-of-fame-class.aspx
 
#9      

coryfor3

C
coryfor3
Ransom Stoddard said:
Here's the full list:

Nick Anderson, Basketball (1988-89)
Lou Boudreau, Baseball/ Basketball (1937-38)
Dee Brown, Basketball (2003-06)
Tonja Buford-Bailey, Track and Field (1990-93)
Dick Butkus, Football (1962-64)
Jerry Colangelo, Basketball/Contributor to Sport (1960-62)
Dwight "Dike" Eddleman, Football/Track/Basketball (1943, 1947-49)
Perdita Felicien, Track and Field (2000-03)
Harry Gill, Track Coach (1904-29, 31-33)
Harold "Red" Grange, Football (1923-25)
Abie Grossfeld, Gymnastics (1957-60)
George Halas, Football/Basketball/Baseball/Contributor to Sport (1916-18)
George Huff, Football/Football Coach/Baseball Coach/Athletics Director (1901-36)
Mannie Jackson, Basketball/Contributor to Sport (1958-60)
Karol Kahrs, Coach / Athletics Administration (1966-2000)
Nancy Thies Marshall, Gymnastics (1976-77)
Herb McKenley, Track & Field (1946-47)
Allie Morrison, Wrestling (1927-29)
Harold Osborn, Track & Field (1920-22)
Andy Phillip, Basketball/Baseball (1942-43, 47)
Renee Heiken Slone, Golf (1990-93)
Steve Stricker, Golf (1986-89)
Mary Eggers Tendler, Volleyball (1985-88)
Craig Tiley, Tennis Coach (1992-2005)
Craig Virgin, Cross Country (1973-77)
Deron Williams, Basketball (2003-05)
Claude "Buddy" Young, Football/Track & Field (1944, 46)
Robert Zuppke, Football Coach (1913-41)


http://www.fightingillini.com/news/...s-inaugural-athletics-hall-of-fame-class.aspx
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Surprised that there is no Kendall Gill on there.
 
#10      

ritster

R
Wheaton, IL
ritster
Ransom Stoddard said:
Here's the full list:

Nick Anderson, Basketball (1988-89)
Lou Boudreau, Baseball/ Basketball (1937-38)
Dee Brown, Basketball (2003-06)
Tonja Buford-Bailey, Track and Field (1990-93)
Dick Butkus, Football (1962-64)
Jerry Colangelo, Basketball/Contributor to Sport (1960-62)
Dwight "Dike" Eddleman, Football/Track/Basketball (1943, 1947-49)
Perdita Felicien, Track and Field (2000-03)
Harry Gill, Track Coach (1904-29, 31-33)
Harold "Red" Grange, Football (1923-25)
Abie Grossfeld, Gymnastics (1957-60)
George Halas, Football/Basketball/Baseball/Contributor to Sport (1916-18)
George Huff, Football/Football Coach/Baseball Coach/Athletics Director (1901-36)
Mannie Jackson, Basketball/Contributor to Sport (1958-60)
Karol Kahrs, Coach / Athletics Administration (1966-2000)
Nancy Thies Marshall, Gymnastics (1976-77)
Herb McKenley, Track & Field (1946-47)
Allie Morrison, Wrestling (1927-29)
Harold Osborn, Track & Field (1920-22)
Andy Phillip, Basketball/Baseball (1942-43, 47)
Renee Heiken Slone, Golf (1990-93)
Steve Stricker, Golf (1986-89)
Mary Eggers Tendler, Volleyball (1985-88)
Craig Tiley, Tennis Coach (1992-2005)
Craig Virgin, Cross Country (1973-77)
Deron Williams, Basketball (2003-05)
Claude "Buddy" Young, Football/Track & Field (1944, 46)
Robert Zuppke, Football Coach (1913-41)


http://www.fightingillini.com/news/...s-inaugural-athletics-hall-of-fame-class.aspx
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I am shocked that Lou Henson is not in the inaugural class. Eddie JOHNSON also has much to do with the success of Illinois basketball as anyone
 
#11      

FiveStar

F
FiveStar
I'm sure they started with a huge list. Tough, tough, tough conversations to widdle down to these 28. Do not envy the people making those decisions.
 
#14      

Buster

B
Maui
Buster
Ransom Stoddard said:
Here's the full list:

Nick Anderson, Basketball (1988-89)
Lou Boudreau, Baseball/ Basketball (1937-38)
Dee Brown, Basketball (2003-06)
Tonja Buford-Bailey, Track and Field (1990-93)
Dick Butkus, Football (1962-64)
Jerry Colangelo, Basketball/Contributor to Sport (1960-62)
Dwight "Dike" Eddleman, Football/Track/Basketball (1943, 1947-49)
Perdita Felicien, Track and Field (2000-03)
Harry Gill, Track Coach (1904-29, 31-33)
Harold "Red" Grange, Football (1923-25)
Abie Grossfeld, Gymnastics (1957-60)
George Halas, Football/Basketball/Baseball/Contributor to Sport (1916-18)
George Huff, Football/Football Coach/Baseball Coach/Athletics Director (1901-36)
Mannie Jackson, Basketball/Contributor to Sport (1958-60)
Karol Kahrs, Coach / Athletics Administration (1966-2000)
Nancy Thies Marshall, Gymnastics (1976-77)
Herb McKenley, Track & Field (1946-47)
Allie Morrison, Wrestling (1927-29)
Harold Osborn, Track & Field (1920-22)
Andy Phillip, Basketball/Baseball (1942-43, 47)
Renee Heiken Slone, Golf (1990-93)
Steve Stricker, Golf (1986-89)
Mary Eggers Tendler, Volleyball (1985-88)
Craig Tiley, Tennis Coach (1992-2005)
Craig Virgin, Cross Country (1973-77)
Deron Williams, Basketball (2003-05)
Claude "Buddy" Young, Football/Track & Field (1944, 46)
Robert Zuppke, Football Coach (1913-41)


http://www.fightingillini.com/news/...s-inaugural-athletics-hall-of-fame-class.aspx
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Khan
 
#16      

alaskaillini

A
alaskaillini
Dike Eddleman said:
Avery Brundage says hello!!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avery_Brundage

I realize he was much more famous post-Illinois....but seeing as he was a multi-sport star, this seems like a glaring omission.

:hailtotheorange:
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He had the most interesting and high profile career in sports comparted to about anyone on the list. Unfortunately, he was controversial especially when viewed by todays standards. In the present politically correct climate, I would expect that the UI administration would be concerned that there will be those who would choose to view his career in the most negative light possible, and would protest his election.
 
#17      

ilphotog

ilphotog
The camera never lies
Champaign
ilphotog
My hope is that in the future, they will have a stand along facility for the Hall of Fame.
 
#18      

MA Illini

M
Mass
MA Illini
Wannabe Illini AD said:
They do plan to have a new class every year, but I doubt future classes will be as large as this one.

As far as running out of candidates, they have a list of eligible individuals and it looks like it has plenty of names.

http://uillinois_microsites.sidearmsports.com/halloffame/img/HOF_Nominees.pdf

Some of the names already mentioned above are obviously more memorable than some of the other names on the list, but I don't think we are at risk of running out of candidates any time soon.
Click to expand...

Not sure what makes you eligible or not and how the wheelchair sports fit into it, but they need to figure out a way to get Jean Driscoll and Tatyana McFadden on there.
 
#22      

Ransom Stoddard

Ransom Stoddard
Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
Ransom Stoddard
Ulysses Everett McGill said:
Love KG but I'd have several hoopers in there before him -- Spoon, Kerr, Downey, Deon, Harper come to mind.
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Lots of time to get the rest of the list enshrined. I don't have any real quibbles with what they did this year. It allows a mix of "old-timers" like Kerr and somewhat more modern guys like KG and Deon to get pulled in as time goes by.
 
#24      

Ulysses Everett McGill

Ulysses Everett McGill
Ulysses Everett McGill
Ransom Stoddard said:
Lots of time to get the rest of the list enshrined. I don't have any real quibbles with what they did this year. It allows a mix of "old-timers" like Kerr and somewhat more modern guys like KG and Deon to get pulled in as time goes by.
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Fully agreed; just quibbling with advocating Kendall before some others. But, now that I think about it, if you consider that he decked Tim Doyle, maybe Kendall should go ahead of those guys.