NeveHarms The Neve Harms Award for meritorious service to the youth of central Illinois is awarded this year to Dan Shea, who is the 44th recipient of this award.
Dan has been active in numerous volunteer sports, church and community events for 50 years. These activities consist of coaching and officiating in intermurals at Holy Family grade school, with both boys and girls softball team. Dan volunteered on many evenings and weekends.
He was on the board and co-director for years in the annual March of Dimes Snowball Softball Games as well as the March of Dimes One Mile Mall Run. He was a 10 year member of the Illinois Valley Striders board and was in charge of the Steamboat 4 mile course for 10 years.
Dan, 73, is on the Peoria Mayor's Commission for the disabled. He is also on the Holy Family Mexican mission committee.
He has helped veterans clean up Soldiers Hill in Springdale Cemetery, and has helped Santa at the Journal Star Red Stocking Fund party for 28 years. Dan still helps as a monitor for the Steamboat Classic, the Brimfield Run, the Jack Kenny Gaelic Gallop, the OSF Wildlife Park Race, the Race for the Cure, and the Mike McGlaughlin Run in Bradley Park.
Despite a 6-bypass heart surgery and diabetes that limited his walking to a cane and a 3-wheel walker, Dan still helps coach Ed McGraw with his girls track and cross-country teams at East Peoria High School.
Despite all his activities, he found time to bowl in two leagues and played in two softball leagues. He also coached Jimmy's Bar girls softball team for eight years in the 1980's and 1990's.
Besides volunteering for many other activities, he ran for 20 years between ages 45-65 and competed in 336 races from New Hampshire to Hawaii and Florida to California. He also completed seven marathons and 10 triathlons. He continues to volunteer at Holy Family School as well as at the Knights of Columbus.
Dan wrote sports for the Peoria Journal Star for 10 years in the 1950's. He served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War and retired from the Journal Star in 1992 after 41 years, the last 26 years as Day News Editor.
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Tri-County Youth Sports Grant
Recognizing the accomplishments of area athletes and sports contributors for more than 30 years, the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame is giving back to the Tri-County youth sports programs through a new grant program that was launched in 2016. Aided by benefactor contributions to the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame and revenues generated from the annual banquet, the GPSHOF may select a total of three youth sports programs in Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford Counties.
Youth programs interested in receiving a grant should submit an application detailing the attributes of the program to the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame by March 1 of each year. Applications should be addressed to:
Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame
Attn: Youth Sports Grant
P.O. Box 9338
Peoria, IL 61612
Basic information in the application should include the youth program's mission, how the funding can assist the mission and a primary point of contact. All applications will be reviewed by the GPSHOF board and the three winning organizations will be announced during the Hall of Fame banquet. To download the GRANT APPLICATION form: (Click Here).
Donors may support this mission by participating in the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame sponsorship program at any of four levels. Donation form: (Click Here). In addition to supporting area youth sports, sponsors will receive varying levels of benefits, determined by their donation level.
Hall of Fame ($5,000)
4 Lifetime tickets the annual GPSHOF Banquet
Recognition on a plaque in the GPSHOF display at the Peoria Civic Center
Recognition in the annual GPSHOF Banquet program
Recognition in the GPSHOF newsletter
All-American ($1,000)
2 tickets to the GPSHOF Banquet in the year of the gift
Recognition on a plaque in the GPSHOF display at the Peoria Civic Center
Recognition in the annual GPSHOF Banquet program
Recognition in the GPSHOF newsletter
All-State ($500)
1 ticket to the GPSHOF Banquet in the year of the gift
Recognition in the annual GPSHOF Banquet program
Recognition in the GPSHOF newsletter
All-Conference ($100)
Recognition in the GPSHOF Banquet program
Recognition in the GPSHOF newsletter
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Event Links
Newsletters/Banquet Programs2018 Newsletter2018 Hall of Fame Program 2017 Newsletter 2017 Hall of Fame Program 2016 Hall of Fame Program 2016 Newsletter 2015 Newsletter 2015 Hall of Fame Program 2014 Hall of Fame Program 2014 Newsletter 2012 Newsletter 2011 Newsletter 2010 Newsletter 2009 Newsletter Mission StatementThe first official Board of Directors meeting was held October 14, 1979. Officers were elected. Early decisions determined that the Hall of Famers would be from the Greater Peoria Area; the name would be The Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame; its purpose would be to promote and encourage the many varied sports programs in our area, to share with the area the pride we have in the accomplishments of area athletes, and to honor those men, women and teams contributing to our enjoyment and rich sports history.
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