Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame
Honoring the individuals and teams that contribute to our local sports history.
The Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame celebrates the rich sports heritage of Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties. We will promote and encourage the many varied sports programs in our area, share our pride and honor the accomplishments of the individuals, teams and organizations that contribute to our enjoyment and area sports history.
2025 Hall of Fame banquet set
Ceremonies to induct the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be March 29, 2025 at the Peoria Civic Center, following a 5 p.m. social hour and 6 p.m. banquet. Winners of the Neve Harms Award and the Tri-County Athletes and Coaches of the Year will also be honored. Ticket prices and reservation information will be released when honorees are announced in the coming months.
More than 40 teams and more than 40 individuals are on the Hall of Fame ballot this year. The GPSHOF Board of Directors reviews all nominations. A preliminary vote reduces the field to a final ballot, from which the inductees are selected after another review. At least three teams and three individuals will be selected.
Although nominations for the Class of 2024 are closed, nominations to the ballot for the Class of 2025 (which will be inducted in 2026) are open. Nominations for the Class of 2025 ballot must be submitted by May 31, 2025 to be considered. Nominees must meet eligibility standards, as specified by GPSHOF rules. Submissions of nominees that do not meet eligibility standards will be disregarded.
If you wish to nominate an individual or team, please review the eligibility standards and other information on the Nominations page of this website. Then fill out the form on that page and click the “Submit” button. It is important that all sections of the nomination form be completed. Make sure to provide details with substantiating information, sources and links in the “Description of Achievements” section. Also, keep in mind that it is rare for athletes to gain induction based on high school accomplishments alone. The Board looks at intercollegiate and professional or elite-level amateur achievements as differentiators.
Grant money for area youth sports
The Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame is reinstating a grant program to provide financial assistace to youth sports organizations in the Tri-County area, The program was launched in 2016 and suspended when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.
Youth sports programs from Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties are eligible to apply for the grants, which will be funded by benefactor contributions and revenues generated by the GPSHOF annual banquet.
Programs interested in receiving a grant should submit a request by the deadline of March 1, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by the GPSHOF Board of Directors, and three winners will be announced at the awards banquet on March 29.
Written request letters must include:
Youth program’s name and mission
How the funding can assist the mission
Primary point of contact (name, email and phone number)
Send request letters to:
Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame
Attn: Youth Sports Grant
P. O. Box 9338
Peoria, IL 61612
Class of 2023 inductees
Here is the Hall of Fame Class of 2023, inducted during ceremonies on March 23 at the Peoria Civic Center ballroom:
2023 Award Winners
Winners of annual awards presented at the GPSHOF banquet March 23 at the Peoria Civic Center ballroom:
Jim Carlson, winner of the 2023 Neve Harms Award for Meritorious Service to Sports
Tri-County Male Coach of the Year: Danny Grieves, Metamora boys basketball
Tri-County Female Coach of the Year: Tracy Heffren, ICC volleyball
Tri-County Female Athlete of the Year: Anna Peplowski, Metamora/Indiana University swimming, was unable to attend. Represented by her father, Doug (left), with Danny Grieves
Tri-County Male Athlete of the Year: Kannon Webster
