EIU HALL OF FAME MEMBERS
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Linked together as two of Eastern Illinois' greatest athletes in their respective sports, Tony Romo and Henry Domercant, will continue that tie as they headline the five member class set to be inducted for the 2009 EIU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Romo and Domercant will be joined by former baseball player Sean Lyons, former wrestler Don Neece and friend of athletics Ed Corley. The induction ceremony will take place surrounding the Panthers Nov. 14 football game against UT Martin.
Before he became the two-time Pro-Bowl selection for the Dallas Cowboys, Romo (1999-2002) etched his name in the EIU annals as one of the best football players in Panther history. He won the 2002 Walter Payton Award handed out to the nation's top FCS level player. He was a three-time OVC Player of the Year and 2002 consensus first team All-American. He ranked 1st in NCAA passing efficiency in 2001 and 2nd in 2000. He is the EIU and OVC career record holder for single season (34) and career touchdown passes (85). Romo guided EIU to three straight NCAA FCS playoff berths from 2000-02.
On the basketball court Domercant (2000-03) was one of the nation's top point producers as he helped lead EIU to the 2001 NCAA Tournament. He finished his career as the No. 1 all-time scoring leader in both the Ohio Valley Conference and at Eastern Illinois. His 2,602 points ranks 30th all-time in NCAA history and he became only the 11th player to finish his career as a “top five” scorer in the nation three times. He was a three-time first team All-OVC honoree and two time NABC All-District selection. Domercant was the 2002 OVC Player of the Year and honorable mention All-American. Domercant is currently playing professional basketball in Europe.
Lyons (1996-99) was one of the most consistent hitters for EIU baseball in the late 1990's. He was a three-time All-Ohio Valley Conference selection earning first team honors in 1997 and 1998. In 1999 he helped propel the Panthers to their first NCAA Division I Regional appearance setting a school record with 66 runs scored. He ended his career ranking in the top ten in nine offensive categories including a .349 batting average with 56 doubles. Lyons currently serves as the assistant baseball coach at EIU where he helped coach the Panthers to a 2008 NCAA Regional berth.
Neece (1962-65) was a top wrestler for the Panthers in the early 1960's winning the NAIA National Championship in 1965 at the 190 lbs. weight class. He won the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) championship in 1964 competing at 177 lbs and placed second in the IIAC championships two other times. He was a 1965 first-team NAIA All-American. Neece is retired after a long career as a teacher, coach and athletic administrator at East Alton-Wood River Community High School.
Corley is being inducted as a friend of athletics based on his long support of the EIU Panther Club. During the annual fund drive Corley has been the top fund raiser each of the last four years raising more than $31,000 for Panther Athletics. He was the 2006 Glen Hesler Award winner presented annually to the individual who makes a significant contribution to Panther Athletics. He serves as a volunteer for EIU track and field meets and has been a Marshall for the IHSA Boys and Girls State Track Meets for more than 20 years. Corley is a retired faculty member from Eastern Illinois.
