Oct. 13, 2010

CHICAGO - Mark your calendar now because the 2011 UIC Athletics Reunion and Hall of Fame Banquet will take place on Friday, January 28, 2011 at the UIC Forum located at 725 W. Roosevelt Rd. in Chicago.

Five former Flames will be inducted into the UIC Athletics Hall of Fame, and UIC alum and head athletic trainer for the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, Mike Gapski, will presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The UIC Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2011 includes:

Val Belmonte, Hockey (1969-73, 1982-90): Belmonte skated for the Flames from 1969 through 1973, serving as a team captain during his junior and senior seasons. He returned to the program in 1982 as the head coach where he would remain until 1990. During his nine-year tenure behind the bench, Belmonte helped guide UIC to six Central Collegiate Hockey Association playoff appearances and was named CCHA Coach of the Year in 1987. He coached Collin Chin, Shawn Cronin, Sheldon Gorski, Jeff Nelson and Ray Staszak, all of whom are UIC Hall of Famers. In 2007, Belmonte was inducted into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame.

Michael Costa, Men's Gymnastics (1986-89): Costa was an ace in the gym for the Flames from 1986-89, excelling especially on the pommel horse. Costa was a two-time All-American on the pommel horse, earning third-place and fifth-place NCAA Divison I Championship finishes on the apparatus. Costa was awarded the Robert Gunnells Memorial Award in 1988 which is presented each year to the UIC gymnast who displays exemplary leadership, sportsmanship and goodwill towards the community.

Angela Gilbert, Women's Basketball (1989-1993): Gilbert is one of the most decorated athletes to grace the hardwood for the Flames. She finds her name dotted all over the UIC record book, ranking second all-time in rebounding with 1,037 boards, third with 1,521 points and a field goal percentage of .521. Gilbert is also sixth all-time with 105 blocked shots. She averaged a double-double with 21.2 points and 10.2 rebounds during her senior season when she was named to the 1993 All-Mid-Continent First Team.

Edel Leyden, Softball (1999-2003): A four-time All-Conference First Team selection, Leyden was instrumental in helping the Flames reached four straight NCAA Regionals during her career. In addition to reaching the NCAA Regional each year, she also helped UIC capture four consecutive conference regular season and tournament championships and was a member of the 1999 squad that tied the NCAA record for wins in a season with 67. A 2002 Third Team All-American, Leyden is the Flames all-time leader in batting average (.371), hits (333), walks (133) and runs scored (243).

Paul Torres, Men's Swimming (1998-2002): Torres was a champion for the Flames, both in and out of the water. In 2000, he qualified for the Olympic trials and in 2001 he was the conference champion in both the 400-meter and 200-meter individual medley. Torres repeated as the conference's best in the 400 IM in 2002. That year, Torres was also honored with the Horizon League Community Outreach award. He is still the UIC record holder in the 400 IM.

Mike Gapski, Lifetime Achievement Award: After graduating from UIC with a physical education degree and highest honors in 1982, Gapski stayed on as an assistant athletic trainer for the Flames for three years before being promoted to the school's head athletic trainer position. He would remain in that role for two more years before fulfilling a lifelong dream and accepting the Chicago Blackhawks Head Athletic Trainer position in 1987, a job he has held ever since. In 2010, the Gapski and the Blackhawks brought the Stanley Cup back to Chicago for the first time since 1961.

Stay tuned to UICFlames.com for details and more information about this exciting event. With questions, please contact Lisa Meindl at 312-996-5874 or via e-mail at lisam@uic.edu.

Fans can listen to podcasts featuring exclusive interviews with UIC head coaches, staff and student-athletes 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.