The first induction class into the University of Illinois Springfield Athletics Hall of Fame includes a former men’s soccer coach, a former men’s soccer player, a former women’s tennis player, a major contributor to the program and the school’s first national championship team.
Named to the inaugural induction class were Aydin Gonulsen, athletic director and soccer coach (1976-2002); Harold Christofilakos, Friend of the Prairie Stars; Carla (Jimenez) Mills, tennis (1998-2000); Elias Shehadi, soccer (1976-1979); and the 1986 NAIA national champion men’s soccer team.
“This is a great opportunity to celebrate and honor key individuals who have made tremendous contributions to the athletics program and university,” UIS Director of Athletics Kim Pate said in a statement released by the school.
The first class is set to be inducted on Oct. 11 during Homecoming with the time and place to be determined. An advisory committee of Springfield community members, UIS alumni, staff, faculty, athletic coaches and players were involved in selecting the inductees.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on May 20, 2014.
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