Illinois athletics announced its 2021 Hall of Fame class on Saturday morning. The list includes Olympic medalists, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, College Football Hall of Famers, two-time World Series champion, National Champions and more.
Notably not in the Class: Tim Beckman, Ron Turner, Brad Underwood.
Of those included, which of them are more or less notable? Why? Who is missing who should be included? Who shouldn’t be included at all?
Of those included:
- Marcus Dupree (football)
- Michael Carter (track & field)
- Shani Remme (women’s hockey)
- John Carlos (men’s track & field) are some of the more significant inductees due to their accomplishments as Olympic athletes.
- Steve McMichael is a former Pro Football Hall of Famer and member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
- Jack Trudeau and Kurt Kittner are two College Football Hall of Famers who led the Illini to top 20 finishes in both 1994 and 1999.
- Doug Mills (baseball) was a three-time All-American for Illinois under coach Ron Guenther, winning Big Ten titles all three years he played at Illinois.
- George Huff (basketball) coached the Illini men’s basketball team for 20 seasons, leading them to four NCAA Tournament berths, including the Final Four in 1989. He is second all-time with 423 Division I victories during his coaching career at Oklahoma State University and Illinois.
- John Carlos is one of only five athletes in history to win an Olympic medal and a College Football National Championship—he was the bronze medalist in the 200 meters at the 1968 Olympics and a co-champion with Ohio State in 1960.
- Curly Clark (men’s volleyball, swimming & diving) led Illinois to five national championships and over 600 dual meet victories during his 37 years as head coach.
- Mary Etta Smith (volleyball) coached volleyball for 23 seasons including eight NCAA Tournament berths, one runner-up finish and two Big Ten Championships.
- Nancy Brookhart Coombe (women’s basketball) is Illinois’ all-time leading scorer after completing her career 2,100 points scored—all scored within 125 games played.
- Jason Matthews (men’s basketball), who is now a member of the I-Fund Board of Directors, scored 1,045 points during his Illini career.
