Aug. 22, 2008
University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics officials announced Friday that Fighting Illini greats Revie Sorey and Dan Beaver will return to Champaign-Urbana for the Illinois Renaissance celebration game against Eastern Illinois Sept. 6. The pair join a long list 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 sat back and thought about it, and it's an incredible honor," Sorey said. "I'm very fortunate to be selected. I was given a chance to play for an incredible university and graduate. Along with playing football and recognizing how important that is, playing for an institution as fine as the University of Illinois is outstanding."
Sorey was a two-time All-Big Ten selection in 1973 and 1974, and was awarded the Monsignor Edward J. Duncan Award at the 2007 Illinois Football annual banquet, which is awarded annually to a UI football letterman who has displayed exemplary integrity and dedication to his community through public service and citizenship. He was a fifth-round selection by the Chicago Bears in the 1975 NFL Draft and played eight seasons with the Bears.
"It is a great honor to be named to the Illini Top 10," Beaver said. "So many great kickers have shined through the uprights for the Illini since my kicking days 32 years ago. To this day I remain thankful and blessed to have been given such a great opportunity to play college football at Illinois."
Beaver was a two-time first-team All-American in 1975 and 1976 and broke Red Grange's 51-year-old scoring record in 1976. He currently is tied for sixth in Illinois history in career points and shares the school record for most field goals in a game with five against Purdue Oct. 13, 1973. He ranks sixth in career field goals and holds the school record for the longest field goal with a 57-yarder against Purdue Oct. 18, 1975. He also shares the school record for most 50-plus-yard field goals with Jason Reda, both having booted four.
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.
The growing list of Fighting Illini greats slated to attend the Sept. 6 Renaissance celebration:
- Dan Beaver, PK, 1973-76
- Mike Bellamy, WR, 1988-89
- Dick Butkus, LB, 1962-64
- Mark Butkus, DT, 1980-83
- J.C. Caroline, RB, 1953-54
- Scott Davis, DE, 1983-87
- Doug Dieken, TE, 1968-70
- Jim Grabowski, RB, 1963-65
- Chris Green, DB, 1987-90
- Kevin Hardy, LB, 1992-95
- Dana Howard, LB, 1991-94
- Jim Juriga, OG, 1982-85
- Kurt Kittner, QB, 1998-2001
- Rich Kreitling, WR, 1957-58
- Mike Martin, WR, 1980-82
- Larry McCarren, C, 1970-72
- Ed O'Bradovich, DL, 1959-60
- Tommy O'Connell, QB, 1951-52
- Joe Rutgens, DL, 1958-60
- Tim Simpson, OG, 1988-91
- Revie Sorey, OG, 1972-74
- Craig Swoope, DB, 1982-85
- Don Thorp, DL, 1980-83
- Jack Trudeau, QB, 1983-85
- Jason Verduzco, QB, 1989-92
- Chris White, PK, 1983-85l
- David Williams, WR, 1983-85
- John Wright Sr., WR, 1965-67
