UIC Athletics

Sport: Cross Country/Track & Field Coach, Dean of HPER

Years: 1947-1961, 1963-1982

Inducted: 1994

Fordham began his association with UIC in 1947 serving as the cross country and track & field coach for 13 seasons in addition to teaching physical education and serving as the supervisor of the professional program. In 1963, he was appointed director of the school of Physical Education and Athletics and in 1974 when College Status was attained he became the first Dean of HPER. He served as the first athletic director when the program attained NCAA Division I status.

"The cross country team of 1958 stands out as one of the best teams in school history. They had a 10-1 record and had many outstanding runners," said Fordham.

Sport: Cross Country, Wrestling

Years: 1958-1960

Inducted: 1997

Kaye was a three-sport athlete at Navy Pier competing in track, wrestling and his specialty cross country. As a member of the cross country team Kaye and his team mates compiled a school record 10 wins with just one loss. In 1959 Kaye was named the Athlete of the Year.

"Ed was a hard-working young man and an outstanding individual," said former cross country coach Sheldon Fordham. "He ran both the one and two-mile courses and was an important member of the 1958 squad that finished 10-1."
 

Sport: Track & Field, Cross Country

Years: 1976-1980

Inducted: 2003

Jim McHugh set several records during his time at UIC as a distance runner, including a time of 30:36 in the 10,000m run that remains unbeaten in UIC history as of 2023. McHugh also held the record for the mile run for over 20 years with a time of 4:16.18.

Sport: Track & Field

Years: 1959-1962

Inducted: 1993

Moriarty came to UIC following a two year tour of duty with the Marine Corp. Moriarty then anchored from the center spot of the UIC offensive line that set a school record for total yards gained in a season and total yards gained rushing in a season in 1962. Although he was small in stature, Moriarty was known for being a “tough son-of-gun” and always gave 110% when he played. Moriarty also wrestled in the heavyweight class and took part in track and field in shot put and discus.

Sport: Track & Field, Cross Country, Swimming

Years: 1955-1958

Inducted: 1998

A multi-talented athlete who competed in three different sports in his years at the Navy Pier campus. Nestlinger held school records in the mile, 2-mile, high hurdles, 3-mile and 200 yard breaststroke. In 1958 he was voted Navy Pier Athlete of the Year.

"Alan was the most versatile athlete in my fourteen years as Track and Field coach," said Sheldon Fordam.

Sport: Track & Field, Cross Country

Years: 1958-1960

Inducted: 1994

Peterson ran for both the track and cross country teams and served as the captain for the 1959 and 1960 squads. His specialty events included the 880 yard, mile, two mile and three mile races. He was the cross country Most Valuable Runner during the 1958 season that the team went 10-1 and he repeated the individual honor in 1959 and 1960. In 1959 he was also named the Athlete of the Year.

Sport: Football, Wrestling, Track & Field

Years: 1959-1961

Inducted: 2010

A talented three-sport athlete, Reckamp collected eight letters during his tenure at the Navy Pier campus. He won four letters in track and field, three in football and one as a wrestler. On the gridiron Reckamp was a team captain and in 1959, he was the MVP and chosen as Athlete of the Year. He also owns the school record for the longest punt.

Reckamp counts his biggest influence during his time at Navy Pier as his coach, George Strnad. He has a lot of great memories of those times, especially the bus rides to Grant Park for football practice every day and during track practice occasionally, Dr. Fordham would fire a starting pistol in order to get an ice cream vendor off the track.

Sport: Track & Field, Cross Country

Years: 1977-1979

Inducted: 2013

Reyes was a cross country and track & field standout at UICC. During his career he garnered All-American honors in both 1977 and in 1978. He was the catalyst that helped lead the 1978 team to a fourth place finish in the nation.

On the indoor track Reyes set school records in the 5,000 (14:30.00) and the 10,000 meter runs (30:03.71). Reyes coached at his Alma Matter and continues to coach cross country and track & field in the Chicago area.

Sport: Track & Field, Cross Country

Years: 1971-1973

Inducted: 1991

Saunders was a five time All-American and NCAA champion and is UIC's first inductee for track and field and cross country. Saunders also coached the volleyball team for two seasons, where he led the team to more than 80 wins. At the time Saunders left UIC, he had set 10 school records and was named as an All-American in all of his four seasons. In 1971 he finished in 14th place at the NCAA College Division Championships and qualified for the University Division Finals, where he finished 34th. Saunders was named also named UIC's Most Valuable Runner in 1971. In 1972 he finished fifth out of 420 in the College Division of the NCAA Championships and he went undefeated in all dual meets. In 1973 Saunders finished 14th in the NCAA Division II Championships.

Sport: Football, Gymnastics, Track

Years: 1956-1957

Inducted: 1995

Walthouse was a three-sport athlete during his one and a half seasons on the Navy Pier campus, excelling in track, gymnastics and football. On the track he competed in the high and low hurdles, pole vault, discus and relays. He set the school record in the high hurdle event in 1957.

As a gymnast, Walthouse was a horizontal bar, vault and parallel bars competitor. On the gridiron he suited up as an offensive end, defensive inside linebacker and kickoff returner for the football team. Walthouse is grateful for "the coaches and teachers at Navy Pier who prepared me for teaching and coaching."