CHAMPAIGN — The inaugural Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame class is loaded with familiar names, 28 of the greatest in Illini history from players to coaches. The 2017 class was announced Thursday morning, rounding out the group that was started last year with All-American linebacker Dick Butkus.
“I would like to thank the selection committee for its work in identifying the members of this inaugural Hall of Fame class,” Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman said. “As you would expect, with more than 120 years of athletics excellence to consider, it was an incredibly difficult process to select this small, elite group.