Inductees Mike Bridges, the diminutive Peoria East Bluff (White Grade School) native, and 1976 graduate of Woodruff, won his first World Title in Powerlifting at age 21, and his last World Title at 33.
Mike began his Powerlifting career at age 15- as he could see no future in the usual sports menu at 4-foot-lO and 125 pounds. Encouragement to excell came early from Jim Morby, a teacher at White Grade School, who convinced him that a positive attitude, hard work, and belief in yourself could make anything possible.
Training at Woodruff, he participated in the Spalding weightlifting program where he represented Woodruff. He won his first competitive event at the Mid-State-9 Weightlifting Tournament.
His "just for fun with friends" powerlifting led finally to over 100 Worldwide wins, seven World Titles, and nine U.S. National Titles, setting 76 World records over a twelve-year period. Traveling with his U.S. teamates to over ten countries, including Germany, Finland, Sweden and India, the U.S. team never lost a championship with Bridges aboard. He competed in the 148, 165, 181 and 198 pound divisions winning World Titles in all four weight classes. He finally topped out at 5-foot-3 - pictured here at 181 pounds.
A Tri-County Top Sports Figure in 1978, he has done color commentary for CBS and NBC for weight and power lifting, has traveled as a lifter coach, and has conducted numerous seminars in schools, gyms and training camps. In 1982, he was one of the finalists for the prestigious James E. Sullivan Amateur Athletic Award.
Now age 35 and 165 pounds, Mike would seriously consider training for the 1996 Olympics if Powerlifting is added as a sport and the site is Atlanta. A successful businessman, Mike now resides near Kickapoo while occasionally conducting seminars on power and weightlifting.
Jim Lewis Jim Lewis served as Athletic Director, head football, golf, basketball, and baseball coach at Pekin Community High School during his career from 1933-1955. Jim received his BA from the University of Illinois and a masters from the University of Iowa. During his days at the University of Illinois he played football and basketball. Jim also served in the military. Jim Lewis started his coaching career at Pekin in 1933 with the baseball team. He compiled a record of 118-71-1 in eleven seasons under his direction. Lewis led Pekin to six regional titles in his seven seasons as basketball coach, including state trophies in 1947 (4th place) and 1948 (3rd place). Jim coached football for eleven seasons with a 71-30-1 record. The 1951 unbeaten Pekin football team was the first team in the history of the school to win ten games. The 1951 team was considered the mythical Number 1 team in the state. Pekin won both the Greater Peoria Illini Conference and the Big 12 Conference titles that year. Jim's golf teams excelled, winning a 3rd place (1948) and a 2nd place (1949) in the state tournament during his seven years as coach. Jim Lewis was one of the driving forces behind building Pekin Memorial Stadium. Jim was a member in three Halls of Fame, the Pekin High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame, and the IBCA Hall of Fame. Even by today's standards, Coach Lewis' coaching achievements are legendary. |