HOF Media
Red Rush
Year Inducted: 2022
Category: Media
Schools / Organizations: Loyola Univeristy-Chicago
DePaul University
Biography: Red was a legendary play-by-play voice who broadcast Loyola University games for more than two decades. He was at the microphone for Loyola’s 1963 NCAA championship season and was known for his catchphrases, such as “tickles the twine” on a made shot and “he eyes it, tries it, buys it” on a made free throw. Red, who died in 2009 at age 81, also did play-by-play for DePaul University, as well as Northwestern football and White Sox and Cardinals baseball.
John Leusch
Year Inducted: 2022
Category: Media
Schools / Organizations: The Daily Herald
Biography: John has been a champion for girls’ basketball since joining the Daily Herald newspaper in 1980. His coverage of girls’ basketball has been second to none in the suburban Chicago area and the state of Illinois. John has been responsible for selecting the Daily Herald Girls’ Basketball All-Area teams. The Loyola University graduate has worked diligently to make sure coverage of girls’ basketball received the same respect and attention as boys’ basketball.
Neil Funk
Year Inducted: 2022
Category: Media
Schools / Organizations: WITY
Chicago Bulls
The University of Illinois
Biography: Neil was the radio voice for five of the Chicago Bulls’ six NBA titles, joining the Bulls for the 1991-92 season. He moved to the television side of broadcasting Bulls games in 2008. Neil’s career began in Danville, where he did sales work at WITY and broadcast high school games and University of Illinois football and basketball games. In the 1990s, he came to Champaign to broadcast Illini games. His trademark “Ka-Boom” originated there.
Darren Kinnard
Year Inducted: 2021
Category: Media
Schools / Organizations: WSIL
Withers Radio
Biography: Darren began at WSIL in 1993 as a videographer and the following year moved into the sports department. He moved up the ladder and was named sports director in 2004. Darren continued as sports director for 15 years before accepting a position with Withers Radio, where he hosted highly successful Southern Illinois high school football pregame and postgame shows. He has worked at WSIL for more than 25 years, highlighting the area’s student-athletes.
Don Crim
Year Inducted: 2022
Category: Media
Schools / Organizations: Quincy Herald Whig
Biography: Don’s hard work, dedication and “doing the right thing” define his career. He joined the Quincy Herald Whig in 1979 and was promoted to sports editor and lead columnist in 1986. He earned 21 state and regional awards for sports column writing, sports feature writing, investigative reporting and section design. Don was a regular at Class A state tournaments in the 1980s and 1990s. He also founded the McDonald/Herald Whig Classic, an annual girls-boys all-star basketball doubleheader.
