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Illinois Central College Celebrates Five Standout Alumni at 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame Induction 

February 7, 2026

Illinois Central College inducted five former student-athletes into its Athletics Hall of Fame, honoring alumni whose achievements helped shape Cougar athletics and left a lasting impact on the Central Illinois community. The ceremony took place Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the ICC CougarPlex in East Peoria.

Each of these inductees has a story that helped shape ICC Athletics. Their success did not stop when they left campus. They set examples that continue to influence our student-athletes and programs today.

Rob Buss, ICC Director of Athletics

 

The 2026 ICC Athletics Hall of Fame inductees are:

  • Jennifer Bartlett: A trailblazer for ICC Athletics as the college’s first athletic scholarship recipient, a Second Team NJCAA All-American in women’s volleyball and later became a longtime coach and founder of Central Illinois Elite Volleyball Club, influencing generations of athletes beyond ICC.
  • Anthony Allison: A standout men’s basketball player and NJCAA All-American who set ICC’s all-time field goal percentage record and went on to a successful NCAA Division I and professional career in Europe.
  • Sandy Piccoli-Griggs: One of the most accomplished two-sport athletes in ICC history, earning unanimous First Team All-American honors in softball and contributing to championship teams in both softball and volleyball.
  • Rachel Muller: An elite softball catcher who helped lead ICC to multiple national tournament appearances and remains the only catcher in program history to earn First Team NFCA All-American honors.
  • Christine Koehl-Blackburn: A dominant softball pitcher and NJCAA and NFCA All-American who led ICC through one of the most successful eras in program history.

The ICC Athletics Hall of Fame honors individuals whose achievements and leadership have brought lasting distinction to Illinois Central College and the communities it serves. The induction ceremony is an opportunity for alumni, fans, and supporters to celebrate their contributions and the legacy of Cougar athletics.