NeveHarms Upon making the decision to take up permanent residence in Peoria, Dr. Higgins researched the history of Peoria sports. As Lt. Gov. of IL district of Kiwanis, Dr. Higgins, a chiropractic physician, was harboring an idea about a Peoria Sports Hall of Fame.
After approaching fellow Kiwanian Orville Nothdurf about the idea, Orville suggested they confer with the new athletic director at Bradley University, Ron Ferguson. Subsequently the board was formed and Dr. Higgins was voted the HOF's first president. The first board meeting was held Oct. 1979, with the first induction being held Dec. 1981.
Dr. Higgins has been active in the civic and sports area. Serving on the Board of Directors of S.O.S., save our stadium, Peoria City zoning Board of Appeals, Planning Commission City of Chillicothe, Pres. Suburban Kiwanis, Lt. Gov. II District Kiwanis. Assisted in forming and developing Richwoods and Bergan (Peoria Notre Dame) high school Key Clubs. Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau's Vice Pres. Sports Commission. Attended to sport injuries at Richwood High School from 1967-1989, then joined Pekin High School football in 1990 as team doctor. He had the privilege of assisting with IHSA High School All Star Football games as on field doctor in Peoria for sixteen years. He was an attending doctor at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He was recruited by Bass Master to treat their participants while traveling with them to their venues and attended Bass Master Classics from 1995-1997. Prior to that he was a NASCAR, IRL, TT Motorcycle, Pro Bowling , event doctor treating participates at their venues
Chad Clift Chad Clift is considered the first stand-out star in soccer from the Peoria area. He competed at Bergan High School, Viterbo College, and Bradley University. At Bergan, Chad was a three time All-Conference selection and earned 1st Team All-State and All-Midwest honors in 1987 and 1988. He achieved honorable mention NAIA All-America status in 1990 while playing for Viterbo College (La Crosse, WI) and holds school soccer records for career goals (59) and assists (17) in a season. Chad transferred to Bradley and earned 2nd Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 1992 and 1993. He was also the team’s offensive MVP each season and holds two Bradley records: most goals in a game (5) and most points in a game (10). He was the 1st soccer player inducted into Bradley’s Hall of Fame. After his playing days, Chad remained active in soccer. He coached at East Peoria High School, leading the Raiders to titles in the Mid Illini Conference and a regional tournament. As a soccer official, he was assigned to the IHSA Boys State Finals in 2014 and for the Girls State Finals in 2015 and 2016. |