Forty-seven years ago today, Charles “Charlie” Bellatti resigned his position as sports information director at the University of Illinois after serving 14 years.
Rising from his position as assistant SID to succeed Chuck Flynn in 1956, the Jacksonville native oversaw Illinois’ public relations duties for the Athletic Association during a particularly turbulent period that included the infamous “slush fund.”
Among the highlights of Bellatti’s career were the Illini basketball team’s Big Ten title in March of 1963, the football squad’s championship the following season, its victory in the 1964 Rose Bowl and the construction of the Assembly Hall.