First, the obvious point: Picking the initial class for UI Athletics Hall of Fame is borderline impossible. Or, at least, very tricky.
How do you differentiate between eras? Do you pick based on what they did in college or after they left Illinois? Is a national title worth more than a gold medal?
The 28 people announced Thursday by the school were all very deserving. Most were no-brainers: Red Grange, Dick Butkus, Bob Zuppke, Lou Boudreau, Tonja Buford-Bailey, Dike Eddleman, Herb McKenley, Harold Osborn and George Huff would have been first-year picks no matter who did the voting.