21 Illini Greats Inducted into Second Hall of Fame Class
September 22, 2018 | Baseball, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Gymnastics, Men's Tennis, Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling, Men's Golf, Women's Track & Field, Men's Track & Field, Hall of Fame, Varsity I
Illini Hall of Fame | Photo Gallery
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The University of Illinois celebrated its incredible athletics legacy by inducting its second class to the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Saturday at State Farm Center.
Some of the greatest names in Fighting Illini history comprise the 21-person Class of 2018. Twelve of the 14 living honorees were on hand for the induction ceremony: Nancy Brookhart Cherin, Dave Downey, Darrin Fletcher, Kendall Gill, Jim Grabowski, Lou Henson, Dana Howard, Tara Hurless, Celena Mondie-Milner, Justin Spring, Tonya Williams and Willie Williams.
Unable to attend the ceremony due to competition were Kevin Anderson (MTEN) and Scott Langley (MGOLF). Deceased members of the 2018 class include Alex Agase, Charles Carney, Ray Eliot, Maxwell Garret, John "Red" Kerr, Charles Pond and Joe Sapora.
The induction ceremony, hosted by Illinois alumnus Ryan Baker, was an opportunity for the greatest Illini student-athletes to tell stories from their college days and to thank those that helped them along the way.
Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame 2018 Class
Alex Agase, Football/ Wrestling
Kevin Anderson, Men's Tennis
Nancy Brookhart Cherin, Volleyball
Charles Carney, Football / Men's Basketball
Dave Downey, Men's Basketball
Ray Eliot, Football Coach / Hockey Coach
Darrin Fletcher, Baseball
Maxwell Garret, Fencing Coach
Kendall Gill, Men's Basketball
Jim Grabowski, Football
Lou Henson, Men's Basketball Coach
Dana Howard, Football
Tara Hurless, Women's Soccer
John "Red" Kerr, Men's Basketball
Scott Langley, Men's Golf
Celena Mondie-Milner, Women's Track & Field
Charles Pond, Men's Gymnastics Coach
Joe Sapora, Wrestling
Justin Spring, Men's Gymnastics
Tonya Williams, Women's Track & Field
Willie Williams, Men's Track & Field
We are underway at @StateFarmCenter with opening comments from @RyanBakerMedia and @IlliniAD. #Illini pic.twitter.com/uBmKsE8a4h
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) September 22, 2018
Memorable Hall of Fame induction ceremony this afternoon at ?@StateFarmCenter?, highlighted by LOUUUUU!!! #Illini4Life pic.twitter.com/g5SqMFiUeZ
— Josh Whitman (@IlliniAD) September 22, 2018
Although @KAndersonATP was unable to attend the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, we were able to catch up with him in Chicago ahead of his competition in the Laver Cup. #Illini pic.twitter.com/N3dQQ0uNUx
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) September 22, 2018
A Bronze Olympic medal, four NCAA Championships and 13 All-America honors, @JustinSpring felt mediocrity was never an option. #Illini pic.twitter.com/bKPagxwW2b
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) September 22, 2018
She helped lead @IlliniVBall to back-to-back Final Four appearances and gained an extended family along the way. #Illini pic.twitter.com/3a9Quq5Q2G
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) September 22, 2018
"Failure was not and is not an option." - 14-time All-American, Tonya Williams. #Illini pic.twitter.com/1s59UkC6TR
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) September 22, 2018
Between his sophomore and junior seasons with @IlliniMBB, @KendallG13 considered transferring. His father had some impactful advice that propelled Kendall to stay at U of I and help the Flyin' Illini to the 1989 Final Four. #Illini pic.twitter.com/h70PrALP7E
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) September 22, 2018
Dave Downey's record of 53 points in a single game still stands in the @IlliniMBB record books. pic.twitter.com/sOOpaFsCXB
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) September 22, 2018
Celena Mondie-Milner shined brightly for @IlliniTrackXC, earning 17 B1G titles and 18 All-America honors. #Illini pic.twitter.com/Rs6SRKVq4h
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) September 22, 2018
1963 Rose Bowl Champion, Jim Grabowski. #Illini pic.twitter.com/PT86csDiqo
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) September 22, 2018
Tara Hurless continues to give back to the University of Illinois as a member of @UIPD. Tara will again be honored prior to tonight's @IlliniSoccer game at 7 pm. #Illini pic.twitter.com/XPW1T8YWwY
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) September 22, 2018
Three generations of the Fletcher family have competed for @IlliniBaseball, each earning All-Big Ten honors. #Illini pic.twitter.com/D4bUZHBWdq
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) September 22, 2018
Two Hall of Fame inductions in one year for Dana Howard. One of the best. #Illini pic.twitter.com/6ZWprvMoEs
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) September 22, 2018
You mean the world to your #Illini Family, Lou. Welcome to the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/KmRcJiZnRn
— Illini Athletics (@IlliniAthletics) September 22, 2018
It was a big day for @IlliniAthletics as they inducted 21 new members into their Hall of Fame. @AnniceMcEwan was at the ceremony and spoke with a number of the new inductees. https://t.co/TUf8mMCxtT
— WCIA 3 Sports (@WCIA3sports) September 22, 2018
