'Grateful and humbled': NFL veteran leads Peoria sports hall of fame's latest class

PEORIA — The Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame inducted its 42nd class on Saturday night.

The GPSHOF sent five individuals and four teams to their place among the best to ever play in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties. Nearly 400 friends, family and fans filled the Peoria Civic Center Ballroom for the annual ceremony.

Here is a look at each inductee, why they're headed to the hall of fame and what they said on Saturday night:

Sherrick McManis

• Why he's in: The Richwoods graduate spent 11 seasons in the NFL, most of it with the Chicago Bears where he was a beloved team captain and special teams ace. He also was an all-Big Ten player at Northwestern after a high school career at Richwoods, where he was a state champion long jumper and all-state football player.
• What he said: McManis said his career turning point came during his sophomore year in high school, when he broke his leg during a football game. That helped him find focus that led him to a state championship in track and field — and find a path toward God. "I am grateful and humbled by this favor and this love He puts in my life," said McManis, who also thanked his family, friends, coaches and the city of Peoria for the support over his long career. "I can't thank you all, but I show you all."

Kirk Wessler

• Why he's in: The longtime Journal Star sports editor spent nearly five decades as a professional journalist, including his final three decades leading Peoria's award-winning sports department. The Peoria High and Bradley grad covered 26 NCAA Final Fours, seven World Series, multiple major golf championships, a Super Bowl and an Olympics.
• What he said: Wessler recounted all the people who helped him throughout his career, including his own coaches, former colleagues, and the list of illustrious people he's covered. He saved special mention for his wife, MaryFran, recalling when early in his career she would lend him a hand by calling the newspaper office to dictate his stories to the sports desk — and not always relay exactly what Wessler wrote. "She is the smartest person I know," Wessler said, "and the best editor ever."

BACKGROUND:Kirk Wessler says good-bye to newspapers and their beloved readers

Dewey Kalmer

• Why he's in: Kalmer coached Bradley baseball from 1980-2008 and is the winningest coach in any sport in BU history, posting a record of 842-772-4. In all, he won 1,032 games in 40 seasons. He coached 56 players drafted by Major League Baseball including Baseball Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett.
• What he said: Kalmer was loose and funny during his induction speech. He called the honor "meaningful and humbling," listing many coaches, players and family members who have been alongside him. "Life is moments and memories, and they don't mean as much unless you can share them with other people."

Grant Hoerr

• What he's in: The Morton grad was a two-time IHSA state champion wrestler, going 82-0 his final two seasons and was named a high school all-American. He became a three-time NCAA qualifier while at Wisconsin.
• What he said: Hoerr thanked his coaches, parents and brother Blake Hoerr whose passion helped drive Grant. "He made a kid from (central Illinois) realize he could beat some of the best kids in the nation," Grant said, adding that letters sent by his parents in college helped him navigate a tough start to his career. He rebounded to be twice named the school's most improved wrestler.

Lou Dobryndia

• Why she's in: Dobrydnia’s Limestone softball powerhouse compiled a 303-95 record over her 15-year career. She took four teams to the IHSA Elite Eight, twice winning trophies. Thirty-four of her players received college softball scholarships, including 16 to play NCAA Division I.
• What she said: Dobryndia focused her remarks on her former players, who "brought passion, flavor and competitiveness," to her coaching career. "I'm standing here today because of what they did."

1999-2000 Peoria Rivermen hockey

• Why they're in: The Peoria Rivermen hockey team gets its third entry into the hall, this one as champions of the ECHL's Kelly Cup under current NHL Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato. Eight players on the team went on to play at a higher level of hockey and nine went on to be inducted into the Rivermen Hall of Fame.
• What they said: Captain Darren Maloney said it means a lot for the team to get this recognition. “All these years have gone by, but we’re here and it’s like we were just together, playing," he said. "I’m glad I had the opportunity to be here, see everyone, and share a proud night as this team goes into the Hall of Fame.”

2000 and 2002 Peoria Pirates indoor football

• Why they're in: Dynamic coach Bruce Cowdrey led the team to two championships, an unbeaten crown in the Indoor Football League and in the af2. The team drew nearly 9,000 fans per game to Carver Arena, sending multiple notable players to camps in the CFL and NFL.
• What they said: Defensive tackle Ken Bouie, who played on both title teams, flew in from Denver for the ceremony. He highlighted the teams' confidence and camaraderie. "25 years … amazing how long it’s been. And yet we walked in here, saw each other and the camaraderie was still there. Right there is why we went 17-0 in 2000, won all those games in 2002, won two championships," Bouie said. "This is a great honor to the team go into this Hall of Fame."

1980-81 Richwoods girls basketball

• Why they're in: The Knights went 30-2 overall and took second in the state, earning the Peoria program the first of its seven state trophies overall. Coach Mary Kay Hungate’s team was led by 6-foot-3 center Kendra Gantt, senior forward Allison Hart, and the guard trio of Paula Buscher, Linda Martin and Tracy Krick.
• What they said: Hungate, now in the athletic administration at Louisiana Tech, spoke to the crowd while being flanked by nine of her 11 players and assistant Ralph Gallo. She thanked her father and mentor Bill Hungate, and said everything "kind of fell into place" for the Knights, who were talented and hard-working — but driven by something more. "They were very disciplined for a high school team," Hungate said. "They were friends on and off the court and everyone was respected for their individual strengths and contributions to the team’s success. It was truly a family atmosphere."

The Greatest:Richwoods girls basketball has been a consistent winner since its inception

2023 Tri-County award winners

• Female athlete of the year: Indiana swimmer and Metamora native Anna Peplowski was a three-time Big Ten Conference champion, an all-American and a silver medalist for the U.S. national team at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Japan.
• Female coach of the year: Tracy Heffren of Illinois Central College took her district champion volleyball team to the NJCAA tournament on an 11-match winning streak. Her team included two all-Americans and had six wins against top-20 teams.
• Male athlete of the year: Current University of Illinois wrestler Kannon Webster of Washington went 50-0 during the high school season and won individual and team IHSA state titles. In the summer, he won a gold medal at the U20 Pan-American Championships in Chile and two national titles at the U.S Junior National Championships.
• Male coach of the year: Metamora's Danny Grieves guided Metamora through a 32-game winning streak and the school's first boys basketball championship. The Redbirds, who went 34-2 and earned the first No. 1 ranking in school history.
• Neve Harms Award: Jim Carlson, a former player and coach at Peoria Notre Dame precursor Bergan, is a longtime "super volunteer" and coach for youth sports in Peoria. He has run a charity youth basketball camp for nearly three decades and also served as team host for the 25 years the IHSA state finals were in Peoria.

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