Paul Fina (2021) - Hall of Fame - University of Illinois Athletics

Paul Fina

Induction:
2021

Gymnastics • 1939-41

Paul Fina earned a spot on the 1940 and 1944 Olympic Teams only to have both cancelled because of World War II. He was still named Honorary Olympic Team Member for both the 1940 and 1944 teams. Fina was the 1940 NCAA All-Around co-champion with teammate and fellow Illini hall-of-famer Joe Giallombardo. He was a nine-time All-American and four-time Big Ten Champion. He helped Illinois win the 1939 and 1941 Big Ten titles, along with a runner-up finish by one-half point in 1940. The Illini won NCAA Championships in 1939, 1940 and 1941. Fina died in 2009 at the age of 94 years.