ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY RUGBY CLUB

HALL OF FAME

Inaugural Class 2006

pictured above Front Row: Meaghan White Odling, Lynette Wissmiller, Stu Pippel, Terry Gill. Second Row: Roger Castino, Stephen "Benny" Kenyon, Bob "Buffy" Criscione, George LaBanca, August Demma, Dean Bostrom, Tom "Art" Favorite. Top Row:  Rick Reed, Lauren Chouinard, Ray Karenas

* Founding Fathers/Mothers

The first group of Hall of Fame candidates were nominated for the 35th Anniversary held in 2006. Past Captains and Presidents were able to nominate players and then they voted via a point system. Twenty-two alumni became the inaugural members of the ISU Rugby Club Hall of Fame. In 2009 there was a special nomination to induct Terry Gries, the captain of the very first women's team of 1976. It was a unanimous decision by the Captains, Presidents and the newest voting members, the HOF members.

Illinois State University Rugby Hall of Fame Qualifications  

• Candidate must have been an ISU student athlete or administrator for either the Men’s Rugby Club or Women’s Rugby Club.
• Candidate must have participated as an athlete or administrator for either club for a minimum of three calendar years or five seasons. Spring is one season, Fall is another season. (This may be waived for founding members)
• Candidates as players must have been selected for a local, territorial, regional or national representative side either while at ISU or into their extended post ISU.
• Candidates as administrators must have been an officer in a local, territorial, or national union, or as a Territorial grade referee. Candidates from M1 and W1 time periods below are eligible as they may qualify as founding members prior to representative union existence.
• Candidates are first eligible to qualify five (5) years after they have either graduated from ISU, transferred from ISU, have last played at ISU or have left the university. Eligibility never ends for candidates and posthumous eligibility is immediate.
• Nominations can be made by any ISU past player or administrator.
• Nominations must include full name, years played or administered, period for inclusion (as tenure may overlap), a scrapbook or other supporting documentation (see website www.isurugbyalumni.com).
• Nominations are accepted by the HOF Selection Committee from January 1 thru April 1 of the year the milestone reunion is being held.
• All existing HOF members & past presidents will vote on each nomination received.
• All Hall of Fame members become members of the HOF Selection Committee.
• Inductees will be announced at the 5 year milestone incremental reunion held each April/May.

 The ISU Rugby Hall of Fame cannot depend on athletic accomplishments to include longevity such as other sports’ Hall of Fame. Preference for a graduate of ISU over others in voting process will be given. The successful Hall of Fame player candidate must be an exemplary individual both on and off the field. An administrative candidate must have provided leadership, organizational, managerial, mentoring, and/or financial support above and beyond his peer level for induction.