Jan. 29, 2010
CHICAGO- The latest class of Flames greats will be recognized on Friday night, February 5 at the 2010 UIC Athletics Reunion and Hall of Fame Banquet.
The annual event takes place at the UIC Forum, located on Roosevelt and Halsted.
The 2010 UIC Athletics Reunion & Hall of Fame Banquet begins with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and the induction ceremony at 8 p.m. A social hour follows the ceremony.
Five former Flames will be inducted into the UIC Athletics Hall of Fame, and UIC alum and world-renowned personal trainer Tim Grover will presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The UIC Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2010 includes:
Cameron Astiazaran, Softball (2002-05)
Astiazaran was a First Team All-American as a senior for the Flames in 2005, the first All-America First Team selection in UIC's illustrious softball history. She also earned First Team Academic All-American honors from ESPN The Magazine that year, becoming the only softball player in the country to be named an academic and athletic First Team All-American in 2005. She holds single-season records for batting average, doubles and hits and was a key to the Flames' NCAA Regional squads in 2002 and 2004.
Sasha Begovic, Soccer (1990-2004)
Begovic is the winningest soccer coach in UIC history, amassing 136 victories in 14 seasons. He led the Flames to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 1999 and followed that up with a run to the Sweet 16 in 2000. He recruited and coached the likes of All-American Eric Lukin and U.S. National Team defender Jay DeMerit.
John Ellis, Men's Basketball (1981-84)
Ellis was a standout player for the Flames from 1981-84 and is still ranked 11th in the school's record book for career scoring (1,289 points) and ninth in career field goals made (526). He was the leading scorer on the team for three consecutive seasons, including the banner 1983-84 campaign in which UIC won its first-ever conference championship.
Jenni Goebel, Cross Country/Track & Field (2000-04)
Goebel was one of the premier distance runners in UIC history, establishing five school records. She garnered all-conference honors in cross country during each of her four seasons, and she was a three-time All-League runner in indoor/outdoor track. Goebel is the first UIC runner to earn All-Region accolades and was named the Horizon League's Most Outstanding Track Performer in 2002.
Luke Reckamp, Football/Wrestling/Track & Field (1957-61)
Reckamp represents the second straight year that a Navy Pier football player will receive induction into the Hall of Fame, joining teammate Fred Espinoza, a hard-hitting linebacker who was inducted last year. Reckamp starred in all three phases and was named the 1959 MVP of the football team. That same year he was named the school's Athlete of the Year in track and field and also managed to compete on the mat for the wrestling team.
Tim Grover, Lifetime Achievement Award
Grover will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for succeeding in athletics beyond UIC. Grover, who played basketball for the Flames http://www.netitor.com/javascript/wysiwyg/tiny_mce/themes/advanced/langs/en.js">in the 1980s, created ATTACK Athletics and is recognized as one of the top personal trainers in the nation. His clients include Michael Jordan, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Donovan McNabb and a who's who of professional athletes.
Tickets to the event are $45. UIC Athletic Alumni Club members can purchase tickets for $40. A table for eight people is available for $320. Parking is located across the street from the Forum.
Contact Lisa Meindl at 312-996-5874 or at lisam@uic.edu for information and tickets.
Fans can listen to podcasts featuring exclusive interviews with UIC head coaches, staff and student-athletes in two ways:
1. Download the free UIC Athletics Widget and click on the "UIC Flames Podcasts" link
2. Download podcasts for free on iTunes by searching "UIC Flames."
Fans wishing to learn more about affordable and flexible UIC ticket plans are encouraged to call 312-413-UIC1 or visit www.uicflames.com and click on the "Tickets" tab on the Flames home page.
