HOF Media

Name: Bill Thompson

Year Inducted: 1976

Category: Media

Schools / Organizations:
WSEI and WVLN
WIKK
WNOI

Biography:  Bill's career included play-by-play of basketball, football, baseball, and softball from the junior high level to the junior college level.  He was the voice of Flora High School from 1990-99 at WNOI Radio and for Newton High School at WIKK Radio from 2009-2017.  At both locations, Bill did play-by-play, color analysis and was a sports journalist.  His voice could also be heard on WSEI and WVLN in Olney.  Bill passed away on August 7, 2018 at the age of 64 due to heart complications.  

Name: Craig Sager

Year Inducted: 2019

Category:  Media

Schools / Organizations:
TNT--notably the NBA

Northwestern University
Batavia High School

Biography:  A graduate of Batavia High School and Northwestern University, Craig became one of the most recognizable sports television personalities in the country.  A respected sports icon for several decades, Craig is remembered for his colorful sports jackets and precise sideline interviews.  He worked on NBA telecasts for TNT in a capacity that earned several Emmy Awards for him.  Early in his broadcasting career, Craig famously dodged security and was the first one to interview Hank Aaron after he hit the record-breaking 715th home run in 1974.  He was awarded the Jimmy V Perseverance Award posthumusly in 2016.  Craig passed away on December 15, 2016 at the age of 65.

Name: Greg Shashack

Year Inducted: 2019

Category: Media

Schools / Organizations:
The Edwardsville Intelligencer
The Alton Telegraph
St. Louis Globe-Democrat

Biography:  Greg is a graduate of Edwardsville High School and the University of Missouri's school of journalism.  He has covered high school sports in Southwestern Illinois for more than 30 years.  Greg began his career at The Edwardsville Intelligencer newspaper but worked for three decades at the Alton Telegraph.  He has served as the assistant sports editor there.  Previously, Greg worked for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.

Name: Brian Reusch

Year Inducted: 2019

Category: Media

Schools / Organizations:
Northwest Illinois Sports Hall of Fame
IHSA
ESPN

Biography:   No one has done more to promote boys' and girls' basketball in Northwestern Illinois than Brian Reusch.  He has been behind the microphone for 1,000+ basketball games.  He has covered numerous Boys' and Girls' IHSA State Finals.  Brian also broadcasts football, softball, volleyball, and baseball.  He has been the chairman for the Northwest Illinois Sports Hall of Fame for 2 decades and in 2017 was featured on ESPN's documetary series "We the Fans."