Get Gala Tickets | Hall of Fame Website
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The stars will be shining when the University of Illinois introduces its Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2017 at the Hall of Fame Gala, presented by Deloitte and A&R Mechanical, in Chicago on June 23.
The Gala, hosted by NBC Sports personality Mike Tirico, will be held at the spectacular Stanley Hall of the Field Museum of Natural History (1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago) with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by the dinner and program at 7:30 p.m.
The Black-Tie (optional) event will celebrate the history of Fighting Illini Athletics and honor the Inaugural Hall of Fame class. Tickets for the event are $250 per person and can be purchased online HERE.
Tirico joined NBC Sports in July 2016 to work on an array of high-profile properties, including the Olympics, NFL, horse racing, golf and other major events. In February 2017, Tirico was named NBC's primetime Olympic host, with his first broadcast in this role to come at the PyeongChang Olympics. Tirico made the move to NBC after 25 years at ESPN/ABC (1991-2016), where he established himself as a preeminent sports broadcaster, including many appearances in Champaign-Urbana calling college basketball and football games.
"The University of Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Gala will be our signature event as we honor and recognize the greatest and brightest Fighting Illini athletes and coaches," Director of Athletics Josh Whitman said. "The inaugural Hall of Fame class is only the first of what will be an annual tradition of honoring the rich legacy of athletics on the Illinois campus. The Gala offers an incredible opportunity for fans, supporters, and alumni to mingle with some of our great Illini legends and to participate in a truly historic evening. We hope the Illini nation will join us in large numbers for the celebration and will make the Gala part of their annual summer calendars."
Members of the 28-person 2017 Hall of Fame class, as well as other notable former Illini and UI alumni, will be in attendance and participate in the program.
