An Indiana entrepreneur will usher the first annual Illinois Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony this June in Springfield.
The two-day event runs Friday, June 13, and Saturday, June 14, at the Bank of Springfield Center.
It is the brainchild of executive director Tim Turpin. Hailing from Newburgh, Indiana, Turpin has whipped up similar endeavors beginning with the National Semi-Pro Hall of Fame that traces its roots back to 2004.
He eventually started the Greater Evansville Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
He is now branching out to include Illinois and Ohio with their own sports halls of fame this summer because for starters, “they didn’t have them,” he said.
Here’s everything to know:
What is the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame?
Turpin launched the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame in February 2024 but hasn’t had a ceremony until now.
It will recognize between 50 to 75 inductees in attendance, according to Turpin.
Who are the inductees?
They encompass not just sports luminaries with roots in Illinois but also renowned legends who made their mark in the Land of Lincoln such as Michael Jordan, Walter Payton and Ernie Banks.
High school icons are also included in the mix, including several from the Springfield area. They include familiar local names such as Andre Iguodala, Robin Roberts, Jayson Werth, Ken Leonard, Neil Alexander and Brian Cook to name a few.
More information and a full list of the inductees can be found on its website.
What is the weekend festivities?
A dozen speakers will highlight the opening night on Friday, June 13, along with a silent auction. They include former University of Illinois standouts Deon Thomas and Kenny Battle, not to mention former NFL players Dan Hampton and Ken Anderson.
General admission is $5, while kids 18 and under get in free. Doors open at 5 p.m., followed by the VIP party at 5:30 p.m. and the main event at 7 p.m. VIP tickets are $100.
The banquet dinner and induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 14. Doors open at 4 p.m.
Banquet tickets are $95, while a table of 10 can be purchased for $900. June 7 is the expected deadline to reserve for the banquet.
Why Springfield?
Turpin ultimately envisions a 60,000-square foot single-story building for the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame in Springfield.
Turpin only recently pitched the idea to Scheels Sports Park at Legacy Pointe as a potential location.
Turpin said he intends to keep bringing the event back if he can build a tangible presence in Springfield.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: What to know about the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame ceremony this June in Springfield
Reporting by Bill Welt, Springfield State Journal- Register / State Journal-Register
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