Continuing with the Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Read part one here.
Kiwane Garris, Basketball, 1994-97
This former Illini still holds the second-most career points with 1,948. During his time as an Illini, he set the school record for 39 free throws made in a row.
Garris is also fifth in Illini record books for two accomplishments: his 83% free throw percentage and 502 career assists.
He was a two-time captain and was the highest scorer for his last three seasons at Illinois. He earned back-to-back First-Team All-Big Ten honors in 1996-97. In 1995, he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
He spent 12 years going pro, including time spent in the NBA in Denver and Orlando.
Benita Kelley Babridge, Track & Field, 1995-98
Babridge’s legacy remains strong as an Illini. She holds the school record holder for the 60m dash. During her collegiate career, she was an eight time All-American. She also had the title of Big Ten Champion eight times.
For her indoor track seasons, she placed third, fourth and eighth in 1996-98 for the 55m dash.
During her outdoor seasons, she saw first place titles for various sprinting events such as at 100 and 200m. Babridge was also a relay team member during her time as an Illini.
Aspen Burkett Miles, Track & Field, 1995-98
A roommate of Babridge, Miles was also a star member of Illinois track during the 1995-98 seasons.
She holds the program record for the 100-meter dash at an astonishing 11.28 seconds. Her 22.90 seconds on the 200-meter dash landed her in second for the school record books.
Miles again played a key role in aiding the team for the 1995-96 indoor conference championships and 1996 outdoor championship.
Her efforts in three individual races and four relays helped her earn seven All-American titles. She also placed in the top ten numerous times during the NCAA outdoor championship throughout her time as an Illini.
Theresa Grentz, Women’s Basketball Coach, 1996-2007
Despite not being an Illini grad, Grentz has great success in Champaign.
In 1997, she coached the women’s basketball team to the only Big Ten Championship. She also led the Illini to appearances in five NCAA tournaments. Two of those tournaments went into the Sweet Sixteen round.
Prior to her Illinois hall of fame honor, she is also a part of three other ones across the country from her various experiences as an athlete and a coach.
She also coached the U.S. team to a bronze medal in the Olympics in 1992 adding to her extensive experience.
Kurt Kittner, Football, 1998-2001
Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner made his mark at Memorial Stadium. In his last year as an Illini, he took the team to the Sugar Bowl after earning a 7-1 conference record and a Big Ten title.
Kittner also surpassed 8,700 passing yards, making it the second-most in program history. He also made more than 680 completions and 70 touchdown passes. Kittner went on to get drafted to the Atlanta Falcons where he played for two seasons. His final NFL season was played by the Chicago Bears in 2005.
After playing in the NFL, he went back to his Illini roots on the Illini Sports Radio network where he was a football color analyst.
Meredith Hackett Kindt, Softball, 2009-12
The most recent Illini graduate in the hall of fame class was softball player Kindt. In her sophomore season, she was on the All-Big Ten first team. That same season, she was a key part in the Illini’s 16-2 conference record and overall record of 45-8.
She stays in the program’s top ten for slugging percentage (second), on-base percentage (third), RBI (sixth), doubles (fifth) and walks (second).
In 2010, she found herself in eight top five categories for the Big Ten. A star on the field and in the classroom, she was selected twice for the Academic All-Big Ten.
No matter the sport or the position, the Illini have continuously broken records throughout the years leading to a star-studded hall of fame class.
@lauram31
