CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois men's tennis head coach Brad Dancer announced Thursday the signing of Hunter Heck to a National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Illinois. Heck, a native of New Brighton, Minnesota, will join the Illini for the fall of 2020 and plans to major in business.

"We are tremendously excited to welcome Hunter Heck to the Fighting Illini tennis program. Hunter is a strong student and has aspirations to play professional tennis. All the coaches that have worked with Hunter rave about his team spirit and camaraderie. When we look at his skill set, his confidence and long-term vision, we feel like he is a great fit for our program."

Heck is a Blue Chip athlete and the No. 1 recruit in both Minnesota and the Plains Region according to the Tennis Recruiting Network. Ranked No. 17 nationally, he has posted a 29-19 record, including 6-2 against five-star recruits and 5-1 against four-star prospects. Currently enrolled in Florida Virtual High School, the 5'8" son of a tennis official and a middle school teacher helped lead Mounds View High School to the Minnesota state championship in 2015.

"It was a great school," Heck said of his decision to sign with the Illini. "I loved my visit there, and the team was really good. The coaches for the team are very knowledgeable and can help my game."

Heck will join an Illinois program that has won 19 Big Ten Conference regular season titles and eight tournament crowns over the 108-year history of the league. Illinois has become one of the nation's most successful collegiate men's tennis programs over the past two decades-plus, making 23 NCAA Tournament appearances, winning the national championship in 2003, and finishing runner-up at the 2007 national championship, along with several Round of 16 appearances.

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