Leman, Reda Complete List Of Illini Greats Returning For Renaissance Celebration
Check out photos of the entire list of 80 UI stars
Sept. 5, 2008
University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics officials announced Friday that Fighting Illini greats J Leman and Jason Reda will return to Champaign-Urbana for the Illinois Renaissance Celebration Game against Eastern Illinois Sept. 6. The pair completes a long list (see photos below) of legendary Illinois players who will be on hand for the 2008 home opener, when fans will get their first look at the newly finished stadium.
"I am extremely honored to be part of the 10 greatest linebackers of all time at the real `Linebacker U,'" Leman said. "And I am really excited to see the team and all of the former players who are able to make it back to Champaign."
Leman led Illinois to the 2008 Rose Bowl, helping engineer the greatest turnaround in college football in 2007. A consensus All-American, Leman was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection. He led the Illini in tackles in both 2006 and 2007, and finished in the top five in the Big Ten both seasons. He finished his career sixth on the all-time tackles list and fifth in career tackles for loss.
Reda broke Illinois' career scoring record in 2007, finishing his career with 267 points. His 92 points last season ranks fifth all-time, and his 51 career field goals rank third. He holds the fourth- and fifth-best season field goal totals and ranks second in both career and single-season field goal accuracy. His four field goals of 50 yards or more is tied for the school record with Dan Beaver.
The Illinois Renaissance celebration will be highlighted by the return of a multitude of former Fighting Illini players, with the list of 10 greatest Illini in Memorial Stadium history at each position being honored during eight breaks throughout the game. The current team also will honor past greats by donning throwback uniforms modeled in the style of the Dick Butkus era. Illinois will take on Eastern Illinois Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. The game will be nationally televised by the Big Ten Network.
Here is final list of the 47 Fighting Illini greats slated to attend the Sept. 6 Renaissance Celebration, followed by a pictorial directory of all 80 of those honored former players:
Mike Bass, PK, 1980-82
Dan Beaver, PK, 1973-76
Al Brosky, DB, 1950-52
Darrick Brownlow, LB, 1987-90
Dick Butkus, LB, 1962-64
Mark Butkus, DT, 1980-83
J.C. Caroline, RB, 1953-54
Scott Davis, DE, 1983-87
Dave Diehl, OL, 1999-2002
Doug Dieken, TE, 1968-70
Ken Dilger, TE, 1991-94
George Donnelly, DB, 1962-64
Moe Gardner, DT, 1987-90
Jeff George, QB, 1988-89
Mike Gow, DB, 1972-74
Jim Grabowski, RB, 1963-65
Chris Green, DB, 1987-90
Howard Griffith, RB, 1987-90
Kevin Hardy, LB, 1992-95
Robert Holcombe, RB, 1994-97
Brad Hopkins, OT, 1990-92
Dana Howard, LB, 1991-94
Jim Juriga, OG, 1982-85
Henry Jones, DB, 1987-90
John Karras, RB, 1949-51 Kurt Kittner, QB, 1998-2001
Rich Kreitling, WR, 1957-58 J Leman, LB, 2004-07
Adam Lingner, LS, 1979-82
Mike Martin, WR, 1980-82
Larry McCarren, C, 1970-72
Ed O'Bradovich, DL, 1959-60
Tommy O'Connell, QB, 1951-52 Jason Reda, PK, 2004-07
Thomas Rooks, RB, 1982-85
Joe Rutgens, DL, 1958-60
Tim Simpson, OG, 1988-91
Revie Sorey, OG, 1972-74
Scott Studwell, LB, 1973-76
Don Thorp, DL, 1980-83
Jack Trudeau, QB, 1983-85
Jason Verduzco, QB, 1989-92
Mike Wells, QB, 1970-72
Chris White, PK, 1983-85l
David Williams, WR, 1983-85
John Wright Sr., WR, 1965-67 Walter Young, WR, 1999-2002
