Gary Sports Hall of Fame welcomes 2025 class
The fourth annual Gary Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place at the Indiana University Northwest auditorium on July 25th.
The newest inductees were: Marce Gonzalez (track), Jerry Shay (football), Don Leek (track), Angela Hamblin-Blakely (basketball), Willie Williams (track) and Dave Shelbourne (football). In addition Dr. Phil Eskew was presented the first annual Earl H. Smith Award […]
Mitchell tabbed for Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame
Five storytellers who have demonstrated the power of journalism and one public access advocate who has ensured Hoosiers’ right to information will be honored by the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame Oct. 4 in Indianapolis.
Global correspondent Monte Hayes, photojournalist Milbert Brown, sportswriter Frederick Mitchell, broadcaster John Stehr, and network investigative reporter and editor Kathleen Johnston will join more than 200 […]
Olin Kreutz among 2025 Gridiron Greats inductees
Olin Kreutz, one of the Chicago Bears all-time greatest centers, joined 2025 inductees Vernon Davis, Chris Draft, Leonard Marshall, Mark Collins, Garney Henley and Angela Biletnikoff into the Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame on May 30.
The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund (GGAF) is a non-profit 501c organization that provides financial grants and pro bono medical assistance to retired NFL players in […]
Boxing Hall of Famer is unanimous winner
A comforting smile creases the face of 83-year-old Jerry Jakubco when he reminisces about his halcyon days traveling the globe as a veteran professional boxing judge.
Pictures of boxing royalty such as Muhammad Ali, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard and many others adorn the walls of the cramped yet cozy office within his family law firm in Chicago. Priceless boxing […]
Panikowski thrives after troubling childhood
After earning All-America recognition and winning the 2024 Fred Mitchell Award as the best kicker among over 750 non-FBS colleges, Gabe Panikowski from Idaho State finally has been able to rejoice.
Happiness, you see, was not always part of his young life.
When he was just 7 […]
Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame inducts 2024 class
I had so many questions.
What was it like coaching the inimitable Caitlin Clark at the University of Iowa?
What are some of your favorite memories from winning three Stanley Cup titles with the Chicago Blackhawks?
Did you ever believe you would become a Hall of Famer after starring with the Chicago Bulls during their championship years of the ’90s?
And how satisfying has […]
Hall of Fame pitcher has a new heart, new outlook
Lee Smith knew something was wrong.
Shortness of breath, lost weight.
“I thought I had cancer,” said Smith, who spent most of his Hall of Fame career as a closer with the Chicago Cubs. Turns out it was his heart, pumping only about five percent of the blood that it should have. And on July 4, 2024, Lee Arthur Smith underwent a […]
Sosa touches all the bases during his return to Chicago
The chants emanating from the lower level of Club 400 sounded eerily familiar for longtime Chicago Cubs fans.
“Sammy! Sammy! Sammy!”
Former Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa made a rare appearance in the Chicago area last weekend, visiting hospitals, greeting fans on the street and signing autographs for some of his most ardent fans from a quarter of a century ago. The father […]
Mitchell among 6 inductees to Gary Sports Hall of Fame
By CAROLE CARLSON
The Gary Sports Hall of Fame grew by six new members, including a former NBA player, two MLB players and a woman who spent 20 years as a leader of the Indiana High School Athletic Association.
The Class of 2024 inductees include NBA player Winston Garland, baseball players Wallace Johnson and Nick Strincevich, girls’ sports advocate Mildred Morgan Ball, […]
McMichael grateful for his Hall of Fame honor
Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Steve “Mongo” McMichael realized a life-long dream when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 3.
Suffering from the ravages of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), which is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, McMichael is unable to walk or talk.
A member of the […]