CHARLESTON, Ill.—Eastern Illinois University athletic department will induct six new members into the Hall of Fame Class of 2008 at the Panther football home opener on September 13 vs. Indiana State.

             All six are former student-athletes. They are Beth Aussin (soccer), Gayle Brandon (track), Linda Ellsworth Gruntner (basketball), Mike Heimerdinger (baseball), Kyle Hill (basketball) and Matt Hughes (wrestling).

            Aussin (Class of ’99) was chosen First Team Ohio Valley Conference and First Team Missouri Valley Conference in 1998, and Second Team All-MVC in both 1996 and 1997.  She also was selected to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Team in 2007.  She still ranks No. 1 in EIU career assists (44) and No. 2 in career total points (122), and is in the Top 10 in 12 single season and career categories.

            Brandon (Class of ’83) was a AIAW All-American long jumper and track sprinter.  She is the EIU record holder in both the outdoor (20-0 ¾) and the indoor long jump (20-1 ¾) and ran a leg on the 4 x 100 relay that still is EIU’s best ever with a 46.25 time.  She still ranks No. 5 in the outdoor 100 meter dash.

            Ellsworth (Class of ’81), who was a Third Team Academic All-American in 1980,  is EIU’s No. 6 all-time women’s basketball scoring leader with 1434 career points.  She is No. 2 in career rebounds with 844 and Nos. 3 and 4 in single season rebounds with 294 and 280.

            Heimerdinger (Class of ’75) is Eastern’s all-time base stealer with 51 and was the centerfielder on the ’73 Panther baseball team that placed third in the NCAA College Division World Series.  He has earned two Super Bowl rings as an assistant coach with the Denver Broncos (1997 &1998). Mike has coached 13 years in the NFL and is currently the offensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans.

            Hill (Class of ‘2001), who was drafted in the 2nd round by the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks in 2001,  was the NCAA No. 2 scorer his senior year (23.8 ppg) leading the basketball Panthers to the NCAA Midwest Regional.  He is EIU’s No. 3 all-time scorer with 1819 points, and a two time First Team Ohio Valley Conference selection (2000 & 2001).

            Hughes (Class of ’97) was an eight time Ultimate Fighting World Champion, and has been featured often on national television for his UFC exploits.  He was a two time NCAA All-American placing 5th at 158 in 1997 and 8th in 1996 at 158 lbs.