Dec. 11, 2006

The United States Post Office in Clinton, Ill., will be named for former Illinois basketball great Gene Vance in a ceremony on Dec. 18. The dedication ceremony will take place in the Family Life Center of the First Christian Church, 100 North Jackson St. Several dignitaries will be present, including Vance and U.S. representative Tim Johnson, who sponsored the legislation.

Vance, a native of Clinton, was a member of one of college basketball's greatest teams, Illinois' "Whiz Kids" of 1941-42 and 1942-43. The "Whiz Kids" won back-to-back Big Ten Conference championships and registered a 35-6 overall record and a 25-2 conference mark during that span. The team was broken up on March 1, 1943 when all five starters headed to active duty in the armed forces.

Vance earned first-team All-Big Ten selections in 1942 and '43 and a second-team selection in 1947. Vance was named honorable mention All-America in 1942, 1943 and 1947. After playing at Illinois, he continued his basketball career in the National Basketball Association from 1948-52, playing for Chicago, Tri-Cities and Milwaukee. Vance also served as Illinois' athletic director from 1967-72 and was named a member of Illinois basketball's All-Century Team in 2005.

Gene has been an exceptional ambassador for the University of Illinois," said Illinois Director of Athletics Ron Guenther. "He contributed as an athlete, an administrator, and loyal alumnus, but most important, he was one of the really good people in our business. I congratulate him on his most recent recognition."

"Gene Vance is of course a sports icon in both Clinton and at the University of Illinois, but importantly is a gentleman and an example to us all," Johnson said of his decision to sponsor the bill. "His athletic ability, his civility, his sense of teamwork and his willingness to serve his country are attributes to which we can all aspire."

The bill was passed the by the House of Representatives on March 28 and signed into law by President George W. Bush on Oct. 13.