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Welcome to the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame website. We are a 25 year-old, 501(C)(3) not for profit Illinois corporation.We have inducted 172 individuals and 72 teams. Their plaques are located in the the Peoria Civic Center. As you browse through our site, you will learn that the Peoria area is rich in talent. Many individuals, teams and organizations have contributed to our sports history. If you have any comments or requests, please feel free to contact us at any time.
29th Annual Induction Banquet - Sunday March 14
The 29th Annual Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet,
Sunday, March 14, 2010, Tickets $30 each or $300 for table of 10.
Call 309-682-4255 to make reservations.
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 WAYNE WIEBLER
Motorcyle Racing -- Wayne is the only Peorian to win a national motorcyle racing title. In the 1959 season, when he was just 22 years old, he won 19 races, finished 2nd ten times and 3rd three times, thereby earning him the American Motorcyle Association National Amateur title
 MARTY STROMBERGER
Football Coach -- Marty is recognized as the "Father of Metamora Football." From 1962 through 1971 his coaching record was 63-12-3. His 1966 team was the first undefeated team in the schools history.
 TONYA GILLES KOCH
Softball Pitcher -- Tonya had an outstqanding softball career at Bergan High School, Illinois Central College, the Pekin Letes, and Illinois State University. She was named 1st team Junior College All-American in 1980 and name ISU's Athlete of the Year in 1982. She also had a role in the women's softball movie "A League of Their Own."
 GEORGE MIKE CHIANAKIS
Basketball and Track -- Mike was a multi-sport star at Eureka High School where he won 16 varsity letters in football, basketball, track and baseball. He was the Illinois State High School Discus Champion in 1943. He was an outstanding member of both the basketball and track teams at Bradley University. He was a member of the ranked 1949-1950 Bradley basketball team and he threw the discus and javelin on the Bradley track team.
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Mike is being recognized for his annual leadership of the St Jude Memphis to Peoria Run. He co-founded the event in 1982 and through his leadership it has grown to involve over 1600 runners througthout Illinois and has rasied $15.6 million.
Tri-County
Awards of the Year
Female Coach - TBA
Male Coach - TBA
Female Athlete - TBA
Male Athlete - TBA
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1975, 1976 AND 1977 MANUAL FOOTBALL TEAMS
Each of these teams had undefeated 9-0 records in the regular season. They were coached by Bob Smith and assisted by Hal Montville and Dennis Winkler. Included among the many outstanding players were Greg Dentino, Earl Gant, Leon Abner and Jeff Stokowski.
1950, 1951 AND 1952 PEKIN TENNIS TEAMS
These outstanding teams compiled a regular season record of 80-1-0. They were coached by John Moss and among the great players were Doyle Glass, Buck Wright and Chuck Reed.
1974 PEORIA HIGH FOOTBAL TEAM
This undefeated football team was coached by Larry Lavery and assisted by Phil Salzer and Bill Sissel. Among the many stars were Al Purham, Jesse Lopez, Sam Hardiman, Kevin Polk, and Dan Ruffin.
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HALL OF FAME PLAQUES AVAILABLE
Because of changes to the Peoria Civic Center Complex, The Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame inductee plaques that were on display in the Arena have been taken down and moved to a new and more accessible location. In order to display all the plaques in a smaller area and provide space or future inductees, the plaques have been resized. The original plaques consequently could not be used and are now for sale.
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