GPSHOF | Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame

TriCounty

The 1998 track and cross country season was a dream time for Bradley long distance runner Mary Ellen Hill, a former Princeville High School athlete.

Highlights of her indoor and outdoor track season and fall cross country season leap out at every turn. She was fourth in the NCAA outdoor championships in the 5,000 meter run in 16:08.72. She was ninth in the NCAA indoor championships in the 5,000 in 16:44.13. She was only the second athlete in Bradley history to score in an outdoor NCAA championship meet.

Mary Ellen twice earned NCAA All-American honors. She won the Missouri Valley Conference cross country championship by 17 seconds in 17:18. She was named Valley Track Athlete of the Year for both the indoor and outdoor seasons.

But there were other big moments. When she ran in the NCAA cross country meet, where she finished 63rd, Hill became the first Bradley athlete to run in three NCAA events in one year.

Dominating the Missouri Valley Conference women's running scene, she was named Valley women cross country athlete of the week three times last fall.

She dominated in the spring in the 5,000 meters: she broke the Bradley and Valley meet record in 16:38.82, won the Bradley Open, was third in the Indiana Invitational, was third in the Drake Relays and ran the distance in 16:22.54 at the Stanford Invitational.

She also set a Valley meet record at 3,000 meters in 9:45.28 and then ran the distance in 9:39.86 in the Iowa State Classic. Only a junior, she still has two indoor and two outdoor track seasons to go plus one more cross country campaign.

Tri-County Youth Sports Grant

Tri-County Youth Sports Grant Winners

Donations

The Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit corporation established in October 1979 to promote the varied sports programs in the area and honor Peoria area athletes and sports personalities. Since 1979 GPSHOF has honored many individuals and teams at annual banquets held at the Peoria Civic Center. Plaques for each inductee are on permanent display at the Peoria Civic Center.

With the exception of a part-time secretary and the member board are all unpaid volunteers. The modest costs (postage, supplies, etc.) and inductee awards are financed by individual donations and business advertisers and sponsors.

We are always in need of funds to keep our programs, activities and events moving forward. We encourage your support in helping us continue to give recognition and award to Peoria area teams and athletes. We respectfully ask for your donation and sponsor support.

We have various types of advertising and donation opportunities available.

CORPORATE LEVELS

Hall of Fame (5 yrs)
$10,000

All-American (3 yrs)
$4,500

Champion (1 yr)
$1,000

PROGRAM (Annual ) LEVELS

Full Page
$300

Half Page
$250

Quarter Page
$200

Business Card
$100

NEWSLETTER LEVELS

Triple Crown (3 yrs)
$300

Double Play (2 yrs)
$200

Honorable Mention (1 yr)
$100

PERSONAL (Annual) DONATIONS

Century
$100 and above

MVP Level
$50 - $99

All-Conference Level
$25 - $49

All-Star Level
up to - $24

To make a donation or learn more about these opportunities contact us.

Events

March 29, 2020

39th Induction Banquet

The 39th Greater Peoria Sports Hall Of Fame Induction Banquet will be held on Saturday, March 28th at the Peoria Civic Center. Social Hour begins @ 5:00 pm, followed by dinner @ 6:00 pm and the induction ceremony. Tickets are $35 before March 13 and $40 if purchased between March 14 through March 22, 2019.

To order tickets call 309-691-3553 or email: susie1026@comcast.net.

To order using a Credit Card,

You must print off this form and send to Susie. click here.

Tickets will NOT be available at the door the night of the banquet.

Event Links

Newsletters/Banquet Programs

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 Statement

The first official Board of Directors meeting was held on October 14, 1979. Officers were elected. Early decisions determined that the Hall of Famers would be from the Greater Peoria Area; the name would be The Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame; its purpose would be to promote and encourage the many varied sports programs in our area, to share with the area the pride we have in the accomplishments of area athletes, and to honor those men, women and teams contributing to our enjoyment and rich sports history.

With the cooperation of the Peoria Civic Center Commission and generous community support, the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame is a reality and it's future is bright..

All content on this website is the property of the GPSHOF.