Inductees Jim Querciagrossa was a wrestling coach at Woodruff High School from 1968-1992. He guided his grapplers to 36 individual conference titles and 64 individual regional championships. 151 boys qualified for sectional competition and 19 qualified for State matches, eight of whom earned a medal. One of his wrestlers, Jeff Sutherland, was a State Champion in 1990 at 160 lbs. His teams combined for an impressive 303-102-6 record in dual meets with five conference, 14 city championships, and four regional championships. He coached 22 winning seasons. In his final season the Warriors strung together 24 consecutive dual meet wins before losing in the Class AA state competition. Jim was named Central Illinois Coach of the Year in 1982 and 1992. He has been inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches Association and Woodruff High School Halls of Fame. “Coach Q” sparked interest in wrestling with younger boys by hosting the area’s first Kids Wrestling Tournament in 1978, and beginning in 1969, he hosted the Peoria Freshmen Tourney for 42 years. 
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Neve Harms Award
The Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame Neve Harms Award, formerly the Peoria Advertising and Selling Club's Annual Meritorious Service to Sports Award, was named the Neve Harms Award in 1966 and for a very good reason.
 As Director of Proctor Recreation Center, Harms observed the need for all youths to experience participation in sports activities, and not just the few who excelled. He, therefore, adopted a firm policy which assured that all youths would have an opportunity to play in games of the various sports controlled by Proctor Center. This plan met with much success and certainly with acceptance by parents whose children became more interested in sport activities at Proctor and consequently made good use of their free time. Neve carried through this policy when he was appointed Superintendent of the Peoria City Recreation Department which later became part of the Peoria Park District. In addition, he also developed a system of recognition for all youths so that each young person could feel good about his or her efforts. This kind of interest in all youths regardless of ability came from a most competitive and outstanding athlete. Neve was a four-sport player at Manual High School and a three-sport letter winner at Bradley University. He was a member of the 1929 Manual High School State Championship Basketball team.
Awards prior to 1981 were offered through the Peoria Advertising Club, rather than the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. We don't have biographies for these individuals. If anyone would be able to provide the bios that were written by the club at the time of the awards, we would very much appreciate receiving them for posting. We are also missing the Bruce Saurs' bio that was written in the 1991 Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame Banquet book, and we would like to receive it also. We are specifically interested in the bios written at the time of the awards, not more or less current. Please contact Rick at rkestner@pekinhigh.net. |
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Newsletters/Banquet Programs2020 Newsletter2020 Hall of Fame Program 2019 Newsletter 2019 Hall of Fame Program 2018 Newsletter 2018 Hall of Fame Program 2017 Newsletter 2017 Hall of Fame Program 2016 Hall of Fame Program 2016 Newsletter 2015 Newsletter 2015 Hall of Fame Program 2014 Hall of Fame Program Listing 2014 Newsletter 2012 Newsletter 2011 Newsletter 2010 Newsletter 2009 Newsletter Mission StatementThe Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame celebrates the rich sports heritage of Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties. We will promote and encourage the many varied sports programs in our area, share our pride and honor the accomplishments of the individuals, teams and organizations that contribute to our enjoyment and area sports history.
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