Feb. 19, 2007

Former Illini runner and current assistant coach Tonja Buford-Bailey is being honored by the Big Ten Conference in its month-long celebration of Black History Month. Buford-Bailey is one of 22 former African-American student-athletes, including former Illini basketball player Kendall Gill, that the Big Ten is commemorating on its website this month for their achievements and contributions to Big Ten campuses.

Buford-Bailey remains to date the most distinguished woman in Illinois track and field history. While at the university, Buford-Bailey is a school-record 25-time Big Ten Champion and 10-time All-American. After winning the bronze medal in the 400-meter hurdles in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Buford-Bailey became the first female in school history to win an Olympic medal.

Buford-Bailey graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in elementary education and is currently in her third year as an assistant coach for the Illinois women's track and field team.

Below is a link to the story on Buford-Bailey on the Big Ten Conference website. http://bigten.cstv.com/genrel/021707aae.html