Regular visitors to Notinhalloffame.com are aware that we are gradually compiling the top 50 lists for every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB. Once that is done, we will examine how each team honors its past players, coaches, and executives.   Eventually, this will extend to the college ranks.  As such, it is important to us that the University of Illinois has announced 11 new members to their Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on October 10, and the class will be honored the following day during the Fighting Illini’s home game against Ohio State.

The new inductees are:

Aspen Burkett Miles, Women’s Track & Field, 1995-98.  Burkett was a seven-time All-American (four relays and three individual), won seven Big Ten Championships, and played a big part in Illinois’ Big Ten 1995 Indoor and 1995 & 1996 Outdoor Championships. 

Mike Durkin, Men’s Track & Field, 1972-75.  A five-time All-American and nine-time Big Ten Champion, Durkin excelled in middle distances, winning most of his titles in the Mile or 1,000m distances.

Jane Fauntz Manske, Women’s Swimming and Diving 1930-34.  In 1928, Fauntz Manske set World Records in the 100-yard and 100-meter breaststroke, and the year after won the National 100-meter breaststroke and 100-meter springboard Championship.  She also competed for the United States in the 1928 and 1932 Olympics.

Kiwane Garris, Men’s Basketball, 1994-97.  Garris was a two-time First Team All-Big-10 Selection whose 1,948 Points are second all-time in Illini history.  He played pro for Orlando and Denver. 

Theresa Grentz, Women’s Basketball Coach, 1996-2007.  Grentz had a record of 210-156 and brought the Illini their only Women’s Big 10 Title.  She also took the Illini to two Sweet Sixteens.  Grentz is already a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

Meredith Hackett Kindt, Softball, 2009-12.  During Hackett’s time in Illinois, the school had a 45-8 record, while she boasted a stellar .616 Slugging Percentage. 

Benita Kelly Babridge, Women’s Track & Field, 1995-98.  Kelly earned eight All-America honors and the Big 10 100m and 200m titles in 1998.

Kurt Kittner, Football, 1998-2001.  Kittner took the Illini to the Sugar Bowl in 2001, and threw 8,722 Yards and 70 Touchdowns for the school.  He later played three years in the NFL.

Joe Rutgens, Football, 1958-60.  Playing at Defensive Tackle, Rutgens was a First Team All-American in 1960.  He later played a decade for the Washington Redskins, where he was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection.

Scott Spezio, Baseball, 1991-93.  An All-American in 1993, Spezio holds the school record for Home Runs (48).  Spezio later played 12 years in the Majors, winning two World Series rings: one with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the other with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Gene Vance, Men’s Basketball/Athletic Director, 1942-43, 1947 & 1967-72.  Vance helped Illinois win the 1942 and 1943 Big Ten Titles while securing First Team All-American honors in both of those years.  He would play professionally for five years, first with the Chicago Stags and then with the Tri-Cities Blackhawks.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the incoming members of the University of Illinois Athletic Hall of Fame.

The pro career of Simeon Rice began in 1996 when he was drafted third overall by the Arizona Cardinals.   Playing at Defensive End, Rice proved his worth instantly with a 12.5 Sack year and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year.  Rice played with the Cardinals for five seasons and had three 10 plus Sack years there, peaking with 16.5 in 1998, which was good enough for second overall.

Abe Woodson’s regular role was at Cornerback where he would accumulate 19 Interceptions over his career, but it was returning ability that would see him gain five straight Pro Bowls Selections (1959-63)