University of Illinois Athletics

Bernie Shively, Football • 1924-26, Wrestling • 1926-27, Track & Field • 1925-27

Bernie Shively was a star multi-sport athlete at Illinois, earning letters in football from 1924-26, wrestling in 1926 and 1927, and track and field from 1925-27. Shively was considered the top blocker for the legendary Red Grange in 1924 and 1925 before earning consensus All-America honors in 1926. As a wrestler, he was the 1926 Big Ten Heavyweight co-champ and helped the Illini to Big Ten team titles in 1926 and 1927. Shively grappled to a draw with his heavyweight opponent from Indiana on the championship mat in 1926 and lost a coinflip. Shively was a top hammer thrower for the track and field team and helped the Illini to the 1927 Big Ten Outdoor title. He later became the Athletics Director at Kentucky from 1938 until he died in 1967 at the age of 65. Shively became a member of the College Football Hall of Fame 1982. His name adorns the Kentucky track and field stadium. He served Kentucky as an assistant football coach and was interim head coach in 1945, prior to hiring Bear Bryant.