2016 FIGHTING ILLINI ALL-SPORTS CELEBRATION
This evening, the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics honors its best and brightest, from the fields and courts of athletic competition, and from the classrooms and laboratories of the campus. We are particularly pleased to present the Class of 2016! There are numerous Fighting Illini athletic highlights that we celebrate this evening. We are indeed proud of all of these accomplishments, and of each student-athlete and all of the coaches and support staff members who have made them possible. 2015-16 SEASON IN REVIEW
IN THE CLASSROOM…
The combined GPA for all U of I student-athletes last spring was a 3.24, and the GPA from last fall was a 3.23. In the fall 2015 semester, 26 student-athletes earned perfect 4.0 GPAs. In fall 2015, 65 percent of our student-athletes earned GPAs over a 3.00.
IN THE COMMUNITY…
Fighting Illini student-athletes have been very involved within the community again this year through the Hometown Heroes program. Student-athletes from all 19 sports have taken part in more than 130 events at schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and with orga- nization, such as the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club, the Crisis Nursery, Eastern Illinois Foodbank and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Here are some of this year’s highlights:
• Freshmen student-athletes enrolled in summer school last July visited Camp Granada, a camp for kids who are diabetic, to take part in various activities and encourage the kids to be active.
• Illini student-athletes partnered with Special Spectators in September to provide a week of special events for children from Carle Hospital who are undergoing treatment for cancer or other blood disorders. Football players visited children in the hospital during the week leading up to the game and then on game day provided a tour of the football facil- ity. Student-athletes from wrestling, softball, soccer and swimming hosted a tailgate party for the kids and their families before attending the football game vs. Middle Tennessee.
• Every Fighting Illini team joined forces with DIA staff to provide 52 Thanksgiving bas- kets for families in need this year.
• During the holidays, student-athletes hosted their annual party for kids on the waiting list of Big Brothers Big Sisters. The kids were able to play games, decorate cookies and ornaments with their favorite Fighting Illini student-athletes and enjoy a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus and one of Santa’s elves before attending a men’s basketball home game.
• Through the Angel Tree Project, Fighting Illini teams purchased and wrapped gifts for more than 30 children over the holidays.
• Student-athletes have participated in numerous reading events this year through our 2nd & 7 reading program, reading sport-themed books to second graders about topics such as sportsmanship, teamwork and anti-bullying. Through this program our student- athletes are able to show kids the importance of reading and encourage them to continue to read after the visit by providing each child with their own copy of a book.
• In the spring, the softball team kicked off a new pilot outreach program called F.A.N.S. to encourage elementary school children in four areas (fitness, academics, nutrition, and sportsmanship). The team provided tips in each F.A.N.S. area and led the kids through a variety of activities.
• The women’s gymnastics team continued their work at Kenwood Elementary School this year, assisting in classrooms and participating in the school’s Trunk or Treat and Craft Nights. The team was recognized for their efforts at the school by the U of I’s Office of Volunteer Programs as the recipient of this year’s Illini Spirit Award.
• Student-athletes continued their partnership with the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen by bagging snacks and helping serve hot meals during the week and sack lunches on the weekend.
• Fighting Illini student-athletes in February held their annual variety show, Jock Jams, rais- ing more than $10,000 for Cunningham Children’s Home, Illinithon, and Uplifting Athletes. Over the past seven years, Illini student-athletes have raised more than $90,000 through this annual event.
• Softball extended normal Hometown Heroes community service reach by volunteering at an elementary school and senior assisted living facility while on the road this spring competing at Purdue and Wisconsin. IN COMPETITION… WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BASEBALL • The Illini started the year with four con- • Cody Sedlock has been the Big Ten’s secutive wins, starting the year 4-0 for the strikeout leader since the first day of the second-straight year. In that stretch, the Illini season when he fanned 10 at Tulane. He scored 90-plus points in back-to-back wins set a career high with 14 Ks against Ohio over UT Martin and Tennessee State. Illinois’ State on April 22. Sedlock’s 84 strikeouts 55-point victory over Tennessee State marks are 14 more than any other player in the the fourth-largest margin of victory in pro- conference and just four away from the gram history. top 10 in a single season in Illinois history. • Illinois set a school record with 224 three- • Over 6,300 fans came out to the three pointers made during the 2015-16 season, games at Illinois Field between the Fight- marking the fourth consecutive season that ing Illini and Ohio State, April 22-24. It was the Orange and Blue have reset the school’s the fourth-best attendance for a weekend all-time best. series in program history. • The Orange and Blue handed head coach • New faces have been a big part of the Matt Bollant his 50th win at Illinois in a 74- Illini’s success this season. Nearly half 69 defeat of Central Michigan. (49%) of the team’s hits have been by players that had not started a game before this year, and freshman Cole Bellair, who owns the Illini’s second-best ERA (2.79), MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY has been the Sunday starting pitcher. • Illinois recorded its best conference fin- ish since 1988, taking second at the Big Ten Championships.
MEN’S BASKETBALL • Dylan Lafond became the team’s first All- • Illinois defeated two Top-25 teams dur- American since 2007, placing 29th at the ing the season, dominating No. 20 Purdue, NCAA Championships. 84-70, at State Farm Center (Jan. 10) and defeating No. 20 Iowa, 68-66, in the Big Ten • Jesse Reiser was named Big Ten Freshman Tournament (March 10) to advance to the of the Year, after finishing 11th at the confer- Quarterfinals. ence meet.
• Malcolm Hill earned All-Big Ten and All- District honors after becoming the first player in program history to surpass 600 WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY points, 200 rebounds and 100 assists in a • Alyssa Schneider earned first All-America season. honors, finishing 17th at the NCAA Cham- pionships. • Jalen Coleman-Lands set an Illini record for made 3-pointers by a freshman, drain- • Schneider also was a first-team All-Big Ten ing 87 treys on the season to eclipse the selection after placing third at the confer- former UI record of 85 threes set by Cory ence meet. Bradford in 1999. • The Illini recorded their highest team fin- • The Orange and Blue spent much of ish at the Big Ten Championships under the season ranked No. 1 in the country, Coach Scott Jones. and saw four individuals ranked among the top-100 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
FOOTBALL • The Fighting Illini posted a 4-1 home record in 2015, including a thrilling 14-13 WOMEN’S GOLF come-from-behind victory over Nebraska. • The Illini tied for fourth place at the Big It marked Illinois’ first win over the Huskers Ten Championship – its best finish since in 91 years. 1995 – and set a record along with the way with a 54-hole tally of 2-under-par (862), • Clayton Fejedelem earned second-team the lowest team score ever recorded by the All-Big Ten accolades after leading the program at the conference tournament. Big Ten and ranking fifth in the nation in tackles per game (11.7 avg.). His 140 tack- • The team closed the regular season with les were the most for an Illini player since three-consecutive top-five finishes; the best 2006. mark since the 2002-03 season.
• Lovie Smith was hired as the 25th head • In her first collegiate round, Bing Singh- football coach in Illinois history on March sumalee tied the lowest individual round in 7. Smith comes to Illinois after 11 years as program history (-6). a head coach in the NFL. He was the 2005 NFL Coach of the Year after leading the Chi- cago Bears to the Super Bowl. MEN’S GYMNASTICS • The Fighting Illini saw four different in- dividuals earn All-American status at the MEN’S GOLF NCAA Championships, including Brandon • Illinois won the 2016 Big Ten Cham- Ngai, Logan Bradley, Alex Diab and Tyson pionship, its second straight conference Bull. title and seventh in the last eight years. The Illini won the championship in grand • Brandon Ngai won the NCAA Pommel fashion, shooting a school-record 18- Horse title to become the youngest nation hole score of 24-under-par (264) in the champion in men’s gymnastics history. The third and final round, erasing an eight- title tied the 17-year-old sophomore for shot deficit to win by 13 strokes. fifth on the single-season pommel horse event titles list. • Illinois won seven tournament titles during the regular season, including four • Illinois finished in fourth place as a team of five fall events. The seven regular- at the 2016 NCAA Championships; advanc- season event titles marks the most in ing to the Team Finals for the 13th time in program history. the last 14 seasons. WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS • For the sixth time in program history and • Sunny Kato earned First-Team All-America the first time since 2010, the Fighting Illini honors on beam. reached 20 wins in the month of March after ending then-No. 24 Nebraska’s three- • Freshman Lizzy LeDuc individually qualified year long streak of Big Ten road series wins for the NCAA National Championships after with a 2-1 series win over the Huskers, claiming the Salt Lake City Regional floor title. March 25-26.
• The Illini broke the school-record beam to- • The Fighting Illini have registered 16 tri- tal at Michigan State with a 49.425. ples on the season, breaking the program’s previous record of 15 three-baggers set during the 2005 season.
SOCCER • Illinois made its fifth consecutive Big Ten Tournament appearance in 2015 and the SWIMMING & DIVING 16th in program history after a season that • Illinois compiled an 8-4 dual record on saw eight players score at least one goal. Il- the season. linois fired almost 15 shots per game, holding five opponents to single-digit shots. • The Fighting Illini once again excelled in the classroom, with 16 Academic All-Big • The Illini knocked off 11th-ranked Rutgers, Ten honorees. who entered their match-up against the Il- lini with an 8-0 season record. Junior Allison • Samantha Stratford and Megan Vuong Stucky netted the first goal of the game, also represented Illinois at the Canadian Swim- marking the first goal surrendered by the ming Olympic Trials. Scarlet Knights on the season.
• Redshirt senior Jannelle Flaws leaves as the school’s career leader in several categories: MEN’S TENNIS goals (54), points (122), shots (346) and shots • The Illini have climbed to as high as No. 6 on goal (169). She broke the career goals re- in ITA rankings this season. cord in style during the 2015 campaign, net- ting a hat trick in a span of just nine minutes • Jared Hiltzik and Aleks Vukic have both against Saint Louis. been ranked in the top-10 nationally through the majority of the Spring season.
• Illinois defeated the defending National SOFTBALL Champions and then-No. 2 ranked Virginia • In the Illini’s season-opening tournament, by the score of 4-3 inside Atkins Tennis Cen- UI registered a 5-1 win over then-No. 10 Flor- ter on Feb. 27. ida State, with the victory over the Seminoles marking the first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 4 Michigan on April 25, 2014. WOMEN’S TENNIS VOLLEYBALL • Illinois posted a seven-match winning • Illinois advanced to the NCAA Tourna- streak for the second consecutive season. ment Sweet 16 for the third-straight season and the seventh time in the last • Ranked at No. 58, the Illini upset No. 30 eight years. Virginia Tech to advance to the ITA Kick-Off Weekend Final. • A three-time AVCA All-American, senior Jocelynn Birks broke the program’s all- • The UI has seen the duo of Louise Kwong time kills and attack records, finishing her and Ines Vias sporting a 23-8 record on the career with 1,972 kills and 5,656 attacks, doubles courts, resulting in the tandem ap- while also becoming just the 12th Illini to pearing as a top-50 ranked team in the coun- register 1,000 digs in her career. try for a majority of the spring season. • With a 3-0 sweep of then-No. 21 Colo- rado in the B1G/Pac-12 Challenge on Sept. 5, the Illini volleyball program picked up its MEN’S TRACK & FIELD 900th program victory, setting it apart as • Jonathan Wells earned All-America hon- one of the elite NCAA programs. ors in the high jump, finishing eighth at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
• Dylan Lafond set school records in two in- WRESTLING door events, running 8:00.48 in the 3-K and • Illinois recorded its third-best finish at clocking 13:46.72 in the 5-K. the NCAA Championships under Coach Jim Heffernan, finishing in ninth place. • Devin Quinn scored in both the 60m and 200m dashes as a true freshman at the Big • Isaiah Martinez won his second consecu- Ten Indoor Championships. tive NCAA title at 157 pounds, finishing the season with a record of 32-1.
• Steven Rodrigues and Zane Richards WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD earned All-America honors at the NCAA • Pedrya Seymour and Kandie Bloch-Jones Championships. qualified for the NCAA Indoor Champion- ships.
• Seymour represented Bahamas at the IAAF World Indoor Championships.
• Kandie Bloch-Jones, Nichole Choquette and Pedrya Seymour earned podium finishes at the Big Ten Indoor Championships.
Ashley McConnell – Basketball TONIGHT’S PROGRAM Audrey Blazek – Cross Country Nicole Choquette – Cross Country Megan Lemersal – Cross Country GREETING Nathan Echard – Football Brian Barnhart, Fighting Illini Sports Network Stephanie Miller – Golf Erin Buchanan – Gymnastics Heather Foley – Gymnastics REMARKS Mary Jane Horth – Gymnastics Josh Whitman, Director of Athletics Max Mayr – Gymnastics Alia Abu-Douleh – Soccer Hope D’Addario – Soccer Nicole Evans – Softball
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR AWARDS The Newcomer of the Year awards are presented to a male and female, participating in their first year at Illinois, who most excel in athletics.
FEMALE FINALISTS MALE FINALISTS Alex Wittinger – Basketball Cole Bellair – Baseball Bing Singhsumalee – Golf Jalen Coleman-Lands – Basketball Lizzy LeDuc – Gymnastics Jesse Reiser – Cross Country Morgan Maroney – Soccer Alex Diab – Gymnastics Ines Vias – Tennis Devin Quinn – Track & Field Jordyn Poulter – Volleyball CHI ALPHA SIGMA INDUCTEES
Ashley McConnell – Basketball Alyssa Gunther – Softball Audrey Blazek – Cross Country Jade Vecvanags – Softball Nicole Choquette – Cross Country Breanna Wonderly – Softball Megan Lemersal – Cross Country Audrey Rodawig – Swimming GREETING Nathan Echard – Football Gabbie Stecker – Swimming Brian Barnhart, Fighting Illini Sports Network Stephanie Miller – Golf Sarah Sykstus – Swimming Erin Buchanan – Gymnastics Alexis Casati – Tennis Heather Foley – Gymnastics Pedrya Seymour – Track & Field REMARKS Mary Jane Horth – Gymnastics Aaron Wilks – Track & Field Josh Whitman, Director of Athletics Max Mayr – Gymnastics Michael Hyc – Track & Field Alia Abu-Douleh – Soccer Danielle Davis – Volleyball Hope D’Addario – Soccer McKenna Kelsay – Volleyball Nicole Evans – Softball Michelle Strizak – Volleyball
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR AWARDS The Newcomer of the Year awards are presented to a male and female, participating in their first year at Illinois, who most excel in athletics. ILLINI LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: LEADER OF DISTINCTION
ILLINI LEADERSHIP ACADEMY: LEADER OF MERIT
ILLINI LIFE SKILLS TEAM COMPETITION AWARD SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARDS The Scholar-Athlete Awards are presented to the male and female student-athletes with the top grade-point averages in their classes.
OUTSTANDING TEAM SCHOLASTIC AWARDS The Team Scholastic Awards are presented to the men’s and women’s teams with the highest aggregate grade-point averages.
PRESENTATION OF BIG TEN POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
FIGHTING ILLINI SPIRIT AWARDS The Spirit Awards are presented to Illinois athletes who add to the morale, comradeship and success of their teams. These persons are team-oriented and go beyond what is expected. Some past recipients also have inspired their teammates by overcoming obstacles.
FEMALE FINALISTS MALE FINALISTS FEMALE FINALISTS Kyley Simmons – Basketball Grey Schultz – Baseball Alyssa Schneider – Cross Country Taylore Peterson – Soccer Mike Thorne Jr. – Basketball Jannelle Flaws – Soccer Allie Bauch – Softball Joe Spencer – Football Pedrya Seymour – Track & Field Sloane McDermott – Swimming Alex Burge – Golf Jocelynn Birks – Volleyball Madie Baillon – Tennis Ben Dodds – Track & Field Jeff Koepke – Wrestling
BIG TEN MEDALS OF HONOR The Conference’s oldest and most prestigious award, the Big Ten Medal of Honor, has been given annually since 1914 to a male student in the graduating class of each university that has demonstrated proficiency in both scholarship and athletics. In 1982, the Medal of Honor was expanded to include a senior female from each institution.
(Complete list in back of program)
RECOGNITION OF 2016 GRADUATING STUDENT-ATHLETES, MANAGERS AND CHEERLEADERS
(May, August & December 2016)
PRESENTATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI SPIRIT AWARDS DIKE EDDLEMAN ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS The Spirit Awards are presented to Illinois athletes who add to the morale, comradeship The Dike Eddleman Awards are presented to the University of Illinois male and female and success of their teams. These persons are team-oriented and go beyond what is expected. athletes who most excel in their sport at both the conference and national levels. Some past recipients also have inspired their teammates by overcoming obstacles.
FEMALE FINALISTS MALE FINALISTS Alyssa Schneider – Cross Country Malcolm Hill – Basketball Jannelle Flaws – Soccer Dylan Lafond – Cross Country Clayton Fejedelem – Football Pedrya Seymour – Track & Field Charlie Danielson – Golf Jocelynn Birks – Volleyball Brandon Ngai – Gymnastics Jared Hiltzik – Tennis Jonathan Wells – Track & Field Isaiah Martinez – Wrestling
VIDEO FINALE 2016
GRADUATES
BASEBALL
Nick Blackburn Jason Goldstein College of Business – College of Engineering – Marketing and Management Industrial Engineering
• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Three-time All-Big Ten • All-Region • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
Michael Hurwitz Zack Kolakowski College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Applied Health Sciences – Community Health Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Will Krug Andrew Mamlic College of Engineering – Graduate College – Civil Engineering Civil Engineering
• 2015 Big Ten Medal of Honor • Academic All-Big Ten • All-Big Ten • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
Charlie Naso J.D. Nielsen College of Media – College of Applied Health Sciences – Broadcast Journalism Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Adam Walton College of Applied Health Sciences – Recreation, Sport and Tourism
• Freshman All-American • Two-time All-Big Ten • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten MEN’S BASKETBALL
Mike LaTulip Khalid Lewis College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Graduate College – Communication Educational Policy Organizational Leadership
• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
Mike Thorne Jr. Graduate College – Educational Policy Organizational Leadership
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Eriel Davis Sarah Hartwell Graduate College – Graduate College – Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Human Resources and Industrial Relations
• Academic All-Big Ten
Simone Law Kyley Simmons Graduate College – Graduate College – Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
• Academic All-Big Ten FOOTBALL
Raphael Barr Taylor Barton College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Communication Communication
• Two-time All-Big Ten
B.J. Bello V’Angelo Bentley College of Applied Health Sciences – Graduate College – Community Health Recreation, Sport and Tourism
• Two-time All-Big Ten • Academic All-Big Ten
Harry Black Jesse Chadwell College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Communication Communication
Tim Clary James Crawford Graduate College – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Recreation, Sport and Tourism Communication
• Three-time Academic All-Big Ten
Andrew Davis Christian DiLauro College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Agricultural, Consumer and Communication Environmental Sciences – Agriculture and Consumer Economics
• Academic All-Big Ten
Cedric Doxy Jaylen Dunlap College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Recreation, Sport and Tourism Communication
Henry Enyenihi Joe Fotu College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Applied Health Sciences – Communication Recreation, Sport and Tourism Ryan Frain Zach Grant College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Applied Health Sciences – Kinesiology Recreation, Sport and Tourism
• Academic All-Big Ten
Justin Hardee Zach Hirth Graduate College – College of Applied Health Sciences – Recreation, Sport and Tourism Kinesiology
• Three-time Academic All-Big Ten
Ainslie Johnson Ted Karras College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Graduate College – History Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
• Two-time All-Big Ten • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten
Davontay Kwaaning Jevaris Little Graduate College – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Sociology
• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
Nelson Lugo Wes Lunt College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Applied Health Sciences – Recreation, Sport and Tourism Recreation, Sport and Tourism
• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
Mason Monheim Marchie Murdock College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Community Health Communication
• Two-time All-Big Ten • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten
T.J. Neal Kenny Nelson College of Applied Health Sciences – Graduate College – Community Health Recreation, Sport and Tourism
• All-Big Ten • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten Chris O’Connor Carroll Phillips College of Agricultural, Consumer and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Environmental Sciences – Sociology Agricultural Leadership and Science Education
Les Poole Teko Powell Graduate College – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Accountancy Sociology
David Reisner Brandon Roberts College of Media – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Advertising Communication
• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
Austin Schmidt Joe Spencer College of Agricultural, Consumer and College of Business – Environmental Sciences – Finance Technical Systems Management • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten
Tyrin Stone-Davis Mike Svetina College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Business – Communication Finance
• Academic All-Big Ten
Dionte Taylor Dennis Thurow College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Engineering – Communication Civil Engineering
LaKeith Walls Jihad Ward College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Applied Health Sciences – Recreation, Sport and Tourism Recreation, Sport and Tourism
• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Two-time All-Big Ten Sean White Tyler White College of Engineering – College of Agricultural, Consumer and Civil Engineering Environmental Sciences – Technical Systems Management • Academic All-Big Ten • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
Taylor Zalewski Graduate College – Technology Management
• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
MEN’S GOLF
Alex Burge Charlie Danielson College – College of Business – Recreation, Sport and Tourism Management
• Big Ten Distinguished Scholar • Three-time All-American • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Two-time All-Region • Two-time All-Big Ten • All-America Scholar • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten Thomas Detry College of Business – Management
• Two-time All-American • Two-time All-Region • Big Ten Golfer of the Year • Two-time All-Big Ten • Big Ten Freshman of the Year • All-America Scholar • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
MEN’S GYMNASTICS
Logan Bradley Fred Hartville College of Media – College of Business – News-Editorial Journalism Business Process Management
• Three-time All-American • NCAA Champion • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten • All-American • Two-time Big Ten Champion • Two-time All-Big Ten
Joey Peters College of Applied Health Sciences – Kinesiology
• All-American • All-Big Ten • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS
Heather Foley Sunny Kato College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Communication Communication & Sociology
• Scholastic All-American • All-American • Big Ten Distinguished Scholar • Two-time Regional Champion • Three-time Academic-All Big Ten • Three-time All-Big Ten • Two-time Big Ten All-Championships Team • Two-time Scholastic All-American • Four-time Academic All-Big Ten
Giana O’Connor Jordan Naleway College of Applied Health Sciences – School of Social Work – Recreation, Sport and Tourism Social Work
• Four-time All-Big Ten • Two-time Scholastic All-American • Big Ten All-Championships Team • Two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar • Two-time Scholastic All-American • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten • Two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten • Dean’s List
SOCCER
Nicole Breece Amy Feher College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Applied Health Sciences & Kinesiology College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Kinesiology & Psychology • Big Ten Distinguished Scholar • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Big Ten All-Freshman Team • Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
Noelle Leary Anastasia Medellin College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Business – Molecular and Cellular Biology & Chemistry Finance
• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Academic All-Big Ten
Taylore Peterson Reagan Robishaw College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Community Health Economics
• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
Tailor Smith Aliina Weykamp College of Business – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Finance Psychology
• Three-time Academic All-Big Ten SOFTBALL
Kylie Johnson Remeny Perez College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Kinesiology Communication
• All-Region • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • All-Big Ten • Three-time NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete • Two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
Nicole Tobon Danielle Trezzo College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Applied Health Sciences – Political Science & Economics Recreation, Sport and Tourism
• Academic All-Big Ten • Two-time NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete • Big Ten Distinguished Scholar • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
SWIMMING & DIVING
Jessica Clifford Jennifer Coady College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Business – Chemistry Accountancy
• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Big Ten Distinguished Scholar • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten
Stephanie Hein Lori Lynn College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Applied Health Sciences – Molecular and Cellular Biology Interdisciplinary Health Science
• Three-time Academic All-Big Ten • Big Ten Distinguished Scholar • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten
Sloane McDermott Isabella Schamber College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Applied Health Sciences – Psychology Interdisciplinary Health Science
• Big Ten Distinguished Scholar • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten Hollie Smith Sarah Sykstus College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Business – Psychology Accountancy
• Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten
Kirsten Zborek College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Mollecular and Cellular Biology
• Three-time Academic All-Big Ten
MEN’S TENNIS
Farris Gosea Jared Hiltzik College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – History Communication
• All-American • Two-time All-American • Big Ten Athlete of the Year • Three-time All-Big Ten • Two-time All-Big Ten • Big Ten Freshman of the Year • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Big Ten Distinguished Scholar • Three-time ITA Scholar Athlete • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
Tim Kopinski Brian Page College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Kinesiology Communication
• All-American • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Three-time All-Big Ten • ITA Scholar-Athlete • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten •Midwest ITA/Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sportsmanship & Leadership Award
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Emily Barretta Audrey O’Connor College of Business – College of Business – Accountancy Accountancy
• Academic All-Big Ten MEN’S TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY
Jereme Atchison Ian Barnett College of Applied Health Sciences – Graduate College – Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Accountancy
Bryce Basting Bed Dodds College of Media – Graduate College – Advertising Accountancy
• Three-time USTFCCCA All-Academic • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten • Three-time USTFCCCA All-Academic
Blaze Galardy Mitch Mammoser College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Agricultural, Consumer and Political Science Environmental Sciences – Agricultural and Consumer Economics • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • USTFCCCA All-Academic
Liam Markham Joe McAsey Graduate College – Graduate College – Accountancy Accountancy
• Four-time Academic All-Big Ten • Three-time All-American • Big Ten Champion • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten
Cam Viney George Wayda College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Political Science Political Science
• Five-time All-American • USTFCCCA All-Academic • Two-time Big Ten Champion • Two-time All-Academic • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
DJ Zahn College of Applied Health Sciences– Community Health
• Eight-time All-American • Four-time Big Ten Champion • Big Ten Athlete of the Year and Big Ten Athlete of the Championships • USTFCCCA All-Academic WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD/CROSS COUNTRY
Jennifer DeBellis Kymbriona Taylor College of Engineering – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Civil Engineering Psychology
• Three-time All-Big Ten • USTFCCCA All-Academic • Two-time USTFCCCA All-Academic • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten
Britten Petrey Alyssa Schneider Graduate College – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Recreation, Sport and Tourism Mathematics
• All-American • All-Big Ten • Seven-time Academic All-Big Ten • Six-time USTFCCCA All-Academic
VOLLEYBALL
Jocelynn Birks Julia Conard College of Education – College of Applied Health Sciences – Elementary Education Kinesiology
• Three-time All-American • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten • Three-time All-Region • Two-time NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team • Four-time All-Big Ten • Big Ten All-Freshman Team • Academic All-Big Ten
Maddie Mayers Alexis Viliunas School of Social Work – College of Business – Social Work Marketing & Management WRESTLING
Zac Brunson Caleb Ervin College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Agricultural, Consumer and Kinesiology Environmental Sciences – Technical Systems Management • Three-time All-Big Ten • Two-time Academic All-Big Ten • All-Big Ten • Academic All-Big Ten
Jeff Koepke Chris Lopez College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Business – Communication & Sociology Business Process Management & Marketing
• Two-time All-Big Ten • Academic All-Big Ten
Matt Nora Steven Rodrigues Graduate College – College of Applied Health Sciences – Accountancy Recreation, Sport and Tourism
• Three-time Academic All-Big Ten • All-American • All-Big Ten • Three-time Academic All-Big Ten
CHEERLEADING
Jennifer Marin Samantha O’Connor College of Education – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Early Childhood Education Molecular and Cellular Biology
Shaun O’Leary Jori Parys College of Agricultural, Consumer and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Environmental Sciences – Communication Technical Systems Management
Elizabeth Wortman Zack Schoettes College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Actuarial Science Physics MANAGERS (NOT PICTURED)
Sean Pavel – Baseball Jacob Chesnut – Football Jeremy Olson – Softball College of Business – College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Applied Health Sciences – Marketing & Supply Chain Management Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
Joe Conroy – Men’s Basketball Kerry Cummings – Football Kyle Waltenburg – Softball College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Applied Health Sciences – History Kinesiology Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
Michael Mardis – Men’s Basketball Joe Davis – Football Thomas Homa – Soccer College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Media – College of Business – Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Broadcast Journalism Supply Chain Management & Marketing
Jonathan Nonnie – Women’s Basketball Stephen Dunn – Football Yasir Siddiqi – Soccer College of Media – College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Agricultural, Consumer and Broadcast Journalism Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Environmental Sciences & College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Sean Gordon – Women’s Basketball Agricultural and Consumer Economics & Brandon Ostrowski – Football Political Science Graduate College – College of Applied Health Sciences – Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Dakota Johnson – Women’s Tennis College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Steven Bardwell – Football Vishal Shah – Football Psychology College of Media – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – Broadcast Journalism Geography & Geographic Information Science
Nathan Blackburn – Football Mitch Zavesky – Men’s Tennis College of Applied Health Sciences – College of Engineering – Recreation, Sport, and Tourism Mechanical Engineering FIGHTING ILLINI SPIRIT AWARD WINNERS 1990-2015
MALE RECIPIENTS FEMALE RECIPIENTS
1990 Darrick Brownlow, Football 1990 Heather Singalewitch, Gymnastics 1991 Andy Kpedi, Basketball 1991 Tonja Buford, Track & Field 1992 Mike Hopkins, Football 1992 Kate Riley, Basketball 1993 Scott Turner, Football/Track & Field 1993 Tonya Booker, Basketball Pete Frew, Baseball 1994 Merrill Mullis, Volleyball 1994 Steve Bridges, Track & Field/Cross Country 1995 Dina Slomski, Gymnastics 1995 Ernest Benion, Wrestling Lissa Kimmel, Tennis 1996 Jeremy Sutter, Tennis 1996 Laura Mindock, Track & Field 1997 Ernest Benion, Wrestling 1997 Kelly Scherr, Volleyball 1998 Gavin Sontag, Tennis 1998 Missy Kann, Soccer 1999 Travis Romagnoli, Gymnastics 1999 Tricia Henry, Swimming & Diving 2000 Joe Sprengard, Baseball 2000 Melissa Beitz, Volleyball 2001 Babatunde Ridley, Track & Field 2001 Betsy Spicer, Volleyball 2002 Chad Hay, Wrestling 2002 Ade Oshinowo, Track & Field Mike Kosta, Tennis 2003 Sarah Baumgartner, Softball 2003 Jerrance Howard, Basketball 2004 Kelly Walker, Soccer 2004 Erik Garnett, Gymnastics 2005 Erin Virtue, Volleyball 2005 Chris Martin, Tennis 2006 Rasa Virsilaite, Volleyball 2006 Alex Tirapelle, Wrestling 2007 Caroline Moore, Swimming & Diving 2007 Shawn Roof, Baseball 2008 Shannon McDonnell, Soccer 2008 J Leman, Football 2009 Kayani Turner, Volleyball 2009 Chester Frazier, Basketball 2010 Megan Fudge, Tennis 2010 Juice Williams, Football 2011 Krystin Miller, Soccer Luke Stannard, Gymnastics 2012 Amy Allin, Tennis 2011 Chad Wiest, Gymnastics 2013 Shayla Mutz, Soccer 2012 Nathan Scheelhaase, Football 2014 Jennifer Beltran, Volleyball 2013 Corey Lewis, Football 2015 Melissa Kopinski, Tennis 2014 Ross Guignon, Tennis 2015 Reilly O’Toole, Football
BIG TEN MEDAL OF HONOR MALE RECIPIENTS 1915-2015
1915 Edward A. Williford, Basketball 1970 Lawrence B. Schwartz, Fencing 1916 Elmo Paul Hohman, Track & Field 1971 Ernest Clements, Tennis 1917 Clyde Godel Alwood, Basketball 1972 Robert Bucklin, Football 1918 John Leo Klein, Football/Baseball 1973 Robert J. Mango, Track & Field 1919 G.C. Gucheit, Football 1974 Howard Beck, Gymnastics 1920 John B. Felmley, Basketball/Track & Field 1975 Howard Beck, Gymnastics 1921 John S. Prescott, Track & Field 1976 Glenn Hummell, Tennis 1922 Clarence Crossley, Baseball 1977 Craig Virgin, Track & Field/Cross Country 1923 Otto H. Vogel, Football/Basketball/Baseball 1978 Steve Yasukawa, Gymnastics 1924 Walter Roettger, Basketball/Baseball 1979 John Davis, Gymnastics 1925 Gilbert J. Roberts, Football 1980 Dave Stoldt, Gymnastics 1926 John W. Mauer, Basketball 1981 John Kakacek, Wrestling 1927 Doran T. Rue, Track & Field 1982 Randy Conte, Baseball 1928 Richard G. Finn, Baseball 1983 Rich Baader, Track & Field 1929 Robert B. Orlovich, Track & Field 1984 Kerry Dickson, Track & Field 1930 Richard C. Oeler, Gymnastics 1985 Peter Bouton, Tennis 1931 Lee Sentman, Track & Field 1986 Jim Juriga, Football 1932 Edward F. Gbur, Baseball 1987 Graeme McGufficke, Swimming 1933 R. Dean Woolsey, Track & Field/Cross Country 1988 Tim Simon, Track & Field 1934 Ralph J. Epstein, Fencing 1989 Peter Freund, Football 1935 Irving Seeley, Track & Field 1990 John Murray, Tennis 1936 Arthur Fisher, Gymnastics 1991 Aaron Mobarak, Track & Field 1937 Harry Combes, Basketball 1992 Mike Hopkins, Football 1938 Allen Sapora, Wrestling 1993 Brad Lawton, Track & Field 1939 Archie Deuschman, Wrestling 1994 Forry Wells, Football/Baseball 1940 Frank E. Richart, Jr., Golf 1995 Steve Marianetti, Wrestling 1941 Park Brown, Track & Field/Cross Country 1996 Marko Koers, Track & Field 1942 William Hocking, Basketball 1997 Seth Brady, Wrestling 1943 Edwin S. Parker, Basketball/Baseball 1998 Eric Siebert, Wrestling 1944 Warren F. Goodell, Track & Field 1999 Bobby True, Track & Field 1945 Donald Delaney, Basketball 2000 Travis Romagnoli, Gymnastics 1946 Robert Phelps, Track & Field 2001 Graydon Oliver, Tennis 1947 Robert Richards, Track & Field 2002 John Lockhart, Wrestling 1948 George Fischer, Baseball 2003 Andy Schutzenhoffer, Baseball 1949 Dike Eddleman, Football/Basketball/Track & Field 2004 Phil Stolt, Tennis 1950 Russ Steger, Football/Baseball 2005 Jack Ingram, Basketball 1951 Don Laz, Football/Track & Field 2006 Dee Brown, Basketball 1952 Richard Calisch, Track & Field 2007 Warren Carter, Basketball 1953 Clive Follmer, Basketball/Baseball 2008 J Leman, Football 1954 Robert Lenzini, Football/Track & Field 2009 Trent Meacham, Basketball 1955 Edwin G. Jackson, Jr., Wrestling 2010 Jon Asamoah, Football 1956 Daniel E. Dudas, Baseball 2011 Scott Langley, Golf 1957 Robert Dintelmann, Track & Field/Cross Country 2012 Luke Guthrie, Golf 1958 Lee Sentman, Fencing 2013 Brandon Paul, Basketball 1959 Abraham Grossfeld, Gymnastics 2014 Nathan Scheelhaase, Football 1960 Robert J. Madix, Baseball 2015 Will Krug, Baseball 1961 Charles Campbell, Fencing 1962 Stuart R. Cohn, Fencing 1963 David J. Downey, Basketball 1964 Richard W. Deller, Football 1965 Bogie Redmon, Basketball/Track & Field 1966 James S. Grabowski, Football 1967 Robert J. Bachman, Swimming 1968 Paul Gary Shapin, Gymnastics 1969 Dennis A. Rott, Wrestling BIG TEN MEDAL OF HONOR FEMALE RECIPIENTS 1982-2015
1982 Lisa Robinson, Basketball 2000 Tara Mendozza, Track & Field/Cross Country 1983 Mary Ellen Murphy, Golf 2001 Betsy Spicer, Volleyball 1984 Karen Brems, Gymnastics 2002 Gia Lewis, Track & Field 1985 Sue Arildsen, Tennis 2003 Michelle Webb, Tennis 1986 Christy Flesvig, Tennis 2004 Jennifer McGaffigan, Tennis 1987 Jonelle Polk, Basketball 2005 Cynthya Goulet, Tennis 1988 Disa Johnson, Volleyball 2006 Christen Karniski, Soccer 1989 Chris Schwarz, Volleyball 2007 Yvonne Mensah, Track & Field 1990 Celena Mondie-Milner, Track & Field 2008 Mary Therese McDonnell, Soccer 1991 Lynn Devers, Gymnastics 2009 Emily Zurrer, Soccer 1992 Kate Riley, Basketball 2010 Angela Bizzarri, Track & Field/Cross Country 1993 Lindsey Nimmo, Tennis 2011 Hillary Haen, Volleyball 1994 Tonya Booker, Basketball 2012 Jenna Carosio, Soccer 1995 Carmel Corbett, Track & Field 2013 Alina Weinstein, Gymnastics 1996 Dawn Riley, Track & Field 2014 Vanessa DiBernardo, Soccer 1997 Kelly Scherr, Volleyball 2015 Liz McMahon, Volleyball 1998 Ashley Berggren, Basketball 1999 Stacy Schapiro, Tennis
ILLINOIS NEWCOMERS OF THE YEAR 1990-2015
MALE RECIPIENTS FEMALE RECIPIENTS
1990 Steve Bridges, Track & Field/Cross Country 1990 Peggy Pullman, Gymnastics 1991 Deon Thomas, Basketball 1991 Mandy Cunningham, Basketball 1992 Marko Koers, Track & Field 1992 Becky Biehl, Golf 1993 Simeon Rice, Football 1993 Kirsten Gleis, Volleyball 1994 Jerry Turek, Tennis 1994 Nicole “Puni” Viernes, Gymnastics 1995 Robert Holcombe, Football 1995 Erin Borske, Volleyball 1996 Karl Roesler, Wrestling 1996 Kim Berres, Gymnastics 1997 Chris Jones, Track & Field 1997 Tisha Ponder, Track & Field Cary Franklin, Tennis 1998 Aleisha Latimer, Track & Field 1998 Adam Tirapelle, Wrestling 1999 Allison Curtin, Basketball 1999 Cory Bradford, Basketball 2000 Shavonna Hunter, Basketball Jason Van Swol, Track & Field 2001 Jennifer McGaffigan, Tennis 2000 Brandon Lloyd, Football Susanna Kallur, Track & Field 2001 Amer Delic, Tennis 2002 Ashley Williams, Gymnastics Phil Stolt, Tennis 2003 Rachelle Coriddi, Softball 2002 Drew Davidson, Baseball 2004 Cassie Hunt, Track & Field/Cross Country 2003 Alex Tirapelle, Wrestling 2005 Macall Harkins, Tennis Rajeev Ram, Tennis 2006 Julie Crall, Gymnastics 2004 E.B. Halsey, Football 2007 Angela Bizzarri, Track & Field/Cross Country 2005 Kevin Anderson, Tennis 2008 Allison Buckley, Gymnastics 2006 Kyle Hudson, Football/Baseball 2009 Michelle Bartsch, Volleyball 2007 Gakologelwang Masheto, Track & Field 2010 Pepper Gay, Softball 2008 Arrelious Benn, Football 2011 Vanessa DiBernardo, Soccer 2009 Andrew Riley, Track & Field 2012 Ashley Spencer, Track & Field 2010 D.J. Richardson, Basketball 2013 Morolake Akinosun, Track & Field 2011 Nathan Scheelhaase, Football 2014 Kandie Bloch-Jones, Track & Field 2012 C.J. Maestas, Gymnastics 2015 Brandi Donnelly, Volleyball 2013 Fred Hartville, Gymnastics 2014 Chandler Eggleston, Gymnastics 2015 Isaiah Martinez, Wrestling ILLINOIS DIKE EDDLEMAN ATHLETES OF THE YEAR 1940-2015
MALE RECIPIENTS 2000 Jason Anderson, Baseball 2001 Adam Tirapelle, Wrestling 1940 William J. Hapac, Basketball/Baseball 2002 Kurt Kittner, Football 1941 John Drish, Basketball/Baseball 2003 Amer Delic, Tennis 1942 Andy Phillip, Basketball/Baseball Matt Lackey, Wrestling 1943 Andy Phillip, Basketball/Baseball 2004 Justin Spring, Gymnastics 1944 Buddy Young, Football/Track & Field 2005 Deron Williams, Basketball 1945 Walton “Junior” Kirk, Basketball 2006 Justin Spring, Gymnastics 1946 Herbert McKenley, Track & Field 2007 Kevin Anderson, Tennis 1947 Alex Agase, Football/Wrestling 2008 J Leman, Football 1948 Dike Eddleman, Football/Basketball/Baseball 2009 Paul Ruggeri, Gymnastics 1949 Dike Eddleman, Football/Basketball/Baseball 2010 Scott Langley, Golf 1950 Russell Steger, Football/Baseball 2011 Andrew Riley, Track & Field 1951 Don Sunderlage, Basketball 2012 Andrew Riley, Track & Field 1952 Charles Boerio, Football 2013 Justin Parr, Baseball 1953 Clive Follmer, Basketball/Baseball 2014 Jesse Delgado, Wrestling 1954 J.C. Caroline, Football 2015 Tyler Jay, Baseball 1955 Paul Judson, Basketball 1956 Em Lindbeck, Football/Baseball 1957 Abe Woodson, Football/Track & Field 1958 Bob Mitchell, Football/Track & Field FEMALE RECIPIENTS 1959 Abe Grossfeld, Gymnastics 1960 Bill Burrell, Football 1983 Marianne Dickerson, Track & Field/Cross Country 1961 Bill Brown, Football/Track & Field 1984 Karen Brems, Gymnastics 1962 Doug Mills, Football/Basketball/Baseball 1985 Kelly McNee, Track & Field/Cross Country 1963 Harold Holmes, Gymnastics 1986 Jonelle Polk, Basketball 1964 Dick Butkus, Football 1987 Mary Eggers, Volleyball 1965 Dick Butkus, Football 1988 Mary Eggers, Volleyball 1966 Jim Grabowski, Football 1999 Mary Eggers, Volleyball 1967 Jim Dawson, Basketball 1990 Laura Bush, Volleyball 1968 Dave Scholz, Basketball 1991 Sarah Sharp, Basketball 1969 Dave Scholz, Basketball Renee Heiken, Golf 1970 Mike Price, Basketball 1992 Renee Heiken, Golf 1971 Lee LaBadie, Track & Field/Cross Country Tonja Buford, Track & Field 1972 Rick Gross, Track & Field/Cross Country 1993 Tonja Buford, Track & Field 1973-81 (Award not given) 1994 Tina Rogers, Volleyball 1982 Tony Eason, Football 1995 Tonya Williams, Track & Field 1983 Tony Eason, Football 1996 Tonya Williams, Track & Field 1984 Don Thorp, Football 1997 Ashley Berggren, Basketball 1985 Charles Lakes, Gymnastics 1998 Ashley Berggren, Basketball 1986 David Williams, Football Yvonne Harrison, Track & Field 1987 Darrin Fletcher, Baseball 1999 Cristy Chapman, Volleyball 1988 Tim Simon, Track & Field 2000 Jessica Aveyard, Swimming 1989 David Zeddies, Gymnastics 2001 Perdita Felicien, Track & Field 1990 Kendall Gill, Basketball 2002 Perdita Felicien, Track & Field 1991 Jon Llewellyn, Wrestling 2003 Perdita Felicien, Track & Field 1992 Tim Simpson, Football 2004 Leisha Alcia, Soccer Len Sitko, Track & Field/Cross Country 2005 Cassie Hunt, Track & Field/Cross Country 1993 Marko Koers, Track & Field 2006 Cassie Hunt, Track & Field/Cross Country 1994 Anthony Jones, Track & Field 2007 Yvonne Mensah, Track & Field 1995 Dana Howard, Football 2008 Angela Bizzarri, Track & Field/Cross Country Steve Marianetti, Wrestling 2009 Angela Bizzarri, Track & Field/Cross Country 1996 Kevin Hardy, Football 2010 Angela Bizzarri, Track & Field/Cross Country 1997 Ernest Benion, Wrestling 2011 Melissa Fernandez, Gymnastics 1998 Eric Siebert, Wrestling 2012 Colleen Ward, Volleyball 1999 Oliver Freelove, Tennis 2013 Ashley Spencer, Track & Field 2014 Janelle Flaws, Soccer 2015 Stephanie Richartz, Track & Field