Illinois Central College inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Saturday, March 4
Inductees include Jim Thome and women's sports pioneer Lorene Ramsey
East Peoria, IL (02/28/2023) — Illinois Central College will hold its inaugural Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday, March 4 at the CougarPlex on the East Peoria campus.
Leading off the class of 2023 is MLB Hall of Fame alumnus Jim Thome, who was drafted by Cleveland after his first season as an ICC Cougar in 1989. ICC previously honored Thome in 2021 by naming their baseball and softball fields in his honor. Mr. Thome will be represented by a designate.
Women's sports pioneer Lorene Ramsey (ICC 1969-2003) initiated the college's women's basketball, softball and volleyball programs, and is one of the most successful college coaches of all time. Her record as a basketball coach was 887-197 (840-309 in softball), and under her leadership ICC won a total of seven national women's basketball and softball championships. The ICC gymnasium is named after her.
Other inductees include former ICC president Dr. John Irwin (2001-2015) who led the effort with fellow inductee Lorene Ramsey to build the CougarPlex athletic complex. The late Carroll (Coach) Herman is also being honored with a posthumous recognition for his years of service as an athletic director and men's basketball coach (1979-1999). National champion volleyball coach and athletic director Sue Sinclair (1990-2109), rounds out the class of 2023.
Inductees will be announced and recognized at center court during halftime of the men's basketball game between ICC and John Wood Community College, which starts at 3:00 pm. (ICC women play their John Wood counterparts starting at 1 pm). The Hall of Fame reception begins at 5:00 pm in CougarPlex Practice Court A, with the formal induction ceremony taking place at 5:30 pm.
Admission is free. RSVP at icc.edu/events/.
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