Illini Hall of Fame | Photo Gallery
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The University of Illinois celebrated its incredible athletics legacy by inducting its inaugural class of the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Saturday at State Farm Center.
Some of the greatest names in sport comprise the 28-person Class of 2017. Eleven of the 16 living honorees were on hand for the induction ceremony: Abie Grossfeld, Perdita Felicien, Mary Eggers Tendler, Karol Kahrs, Craig Virgin, Jerry Colangelo, Mannie Jackson, Dick Butkus, Renee Heiken Slone, Tonja Buford-Bailey, Nancy Thies Marshall.
Unable to attend the ceremony, charter members Nick Anderson, Dee Brown, Steve Stricker, Craig Tiley and Deron Williams.
The induction ceremony, hosted by Illinois alumnus Ryan Baker, was an opportunity for the greatest Illini student-athletes to tell stories from their college days and to thank those that helped them along the way.
Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame 2017 Inaugural Class
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/AD (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)
