Meet the Illinois Hall of Fame Class of 2019
These 16 former Illini greats will be honored Friday night. But before they are, Sports Editor MATT DANIELS breaks down the third slate of inductees to join the school’s Hall of Fame
Joe Giallombardo, gymnastics
We remember him because: Dominated gymnastics from 1938-40, winning seven individual NCAA titles.
David Williams, football
We remember him because: His 262 catches for 3,392 yards from 1983-85 are still most ever by an Illini.
Deon Thomas, basketball
We remember him because: All-time leading scorer (2,129 points from 1990-94) still gives back to his alma mater.
Bobby Mitchell, football and track
We remember him because: The 1983 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee starred in football and track at UI.
Don Freeman, basketball
We remember him because: Scoring (20.1 ppg). Rebounding (10.3 rpg). He did it all for Illini from 1963-66.
JC Caroline, football
We remember him because: His 1,256 rushing yards was key reason the Illini won Big Ten title in 1953.
Bob Norman, wrestling
We remember him because: Never lost a wrestling match at Illinois and won NCAA titles in 1957 and ‘58.
Lindsey Nimmo, tennis
We remember her because: First — and only — UI women’s tennis player to win Big Ten POY (1993).
Ashley Berggren, basketball
We remember her because: Led Illini to Sweet 16 trips in 1997 and ‘98, while scoring 2,089 career points.
Amer Delic, tennis
We remember him because: Star of 2003 national champs also won NCAA singles title in same year.
Gary Wieneke, track and cross-country
We remember him because: Won 13 Big Ten titles in track and cross-country during 36-year coaching career.
Joe Hunsaker, swimming
We remember him because: His NCAA title in 1958 and many contributions to swimming in the ensuing decades.
Eddie Johnson, basketball
We remember him because: His 1,692 points at Illinois (1977-81) and 19,202 points in 17 NBA seasons.
Jenna Hall, softball
We remember her because: She hit .481, good for second in the country, in 2006. Also hit 33 HRs as an Illini.
Simeon Rice, football
We remember him because: The No. 3 pick in 1996 NFL draft compiled a Big Ten-record 44 1/2 sacks.
Angel Bizzarri, cross-country and track
We remember her because: Three-time NCAA champion in 2009 and 2010 thrived in distance running.
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Matt Daniels breaks down the Illini's third Hall of Fame class.
Ashley Berggren (women's basketball), Jenna Hall (softball) and Lindsey Nimmo Bristow (women’s tennis) joined more than a dozen other recipients, including all-time men’s basketball scoring leader Deon Thomas, All-American football greats Simeon Rice and David Williams, and longtime track and cross-country coach Gary Wieneke at Friday's ceremony at State Farm Center.