Paying tribute to the sports legends whose careers have thrilled, entertained and enriched our lives with unforgettable moments of greatness in Chicago.
Chicago, IL
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Kathy Weber, MD, a trusted presence on Chicago’s sidelines for decades, accepted her Hall of Fame honor after a pioneering career in sports medicine. As a physician for both the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox, she became one of the few women in the country to serve in both the NBA and MLB, and the first woman elected president of the MLB Team Physicians Association. We were proud to induct her into the Class of 2026.
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Steve Smith, three-time Stanley Cup champion and cornerstone of the Blackhawks’ defense, accepted the Stan Mikita Award at this year’s ceremony. Over six seasons in Chicago, he anchored one of the NHL’s best blue lines alongside Hall of Famer Chris Chelios, bringing the same hard-nosed determination that defined his career. We were honored to induct him into the Class of 2026.
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Ben Zobrist, 2016 World Series MVP and the man who delivered the go-ahead hit in Game 7, accepted his Hall of Fame honor with the same humility that made him a fan favorite in Chicago. A three-time All-Star and back-to-back champion, the Eureka, Illinois native helped end the Cubs’ 108-year title drought and carried his home state with him to the top of the game. We were proud to induct him into the Class of 2026.
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A message of thanks and reflection from our Chairman, Charles Carey, on this year’s induction ceremony.
@mark_giangreco, @RonRivera80, @georgerogers38, @Jordanlynch06, @JerryAzumah
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What a night! 🏆
The 29th Annual Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Dinner was absolutely unforgettable, a celebration of the athletes, coaches, and contributors who have made Chicago one of the greatest sports cities in the world.
Congratulations once again to our incredible Class of 2026: Ben Zobrist, Ron Rivera, Jordan Lynch, Brad Guzan, Glen Grunwald, George Rogers, Kathy Weber, MD, Steve Smith, Tony Petitti, Jerry Azumah, Mark Giangreco, Dick Barwegen, Norman “Bobie” Cahn. Your stories inspired everyone in the room.
A heartfelt thank you to all of our partners, sponsors, and supporters who helped make this evening possible, and to everyone who joined us to honor Chicago’s rich sporting legacy. We couldn’t do it without you.
Here’s to the greatness of Chicago sports, past, present, and future!
More photos below 👇👇👇
Read Fred Mitchell’s (Class of 2023) full recap of the night here: tinyurl.com/4j5m8r24
@mark_giangreco @RonRivera80 @georgerogers38 @Jordanlynch06 @JerryAzumah
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That’s a wrap!
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our 2026 inductees and to everyone who holds Chicago's incredible sports scene close to their hearts.
Follow the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame on social media for regular content celebrating the over 600 Hall of Famers who have made Chicago one of the greatest sports cities in the world!
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Jerry Azumah has just been inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame!
A record-setting college running back who won the Walter Payton Award at New Hampshire, Azumah reinvented himself in the NFL as a cornerback and return specialist across seven seasons with the Bears. He scored the final touchdown ever at old Soldier Field, earned All-Pro honors, and was recently enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Off the field, he leads as president of Bears Care. We’re proud to welcome him as a new member of the Hall of Fame! @JerryAzumah
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Tony Petitti has just received the Lifetime Contribution to Sports Award and been inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame!
Leading one of the most powerful conferences in college sports from right here in Chicagoland, Petitti has built a distinguished career across sports and media, serving as the launch president of MLB Network, chief operating officer of Major League Baseball, and now the seventh commissioner of the Big Ten Conference. A 14-time Sports Emmy winner, he has guided the Big Ten through a transformative era of coast-to-coast expansion. We’re proud to welcome him as a new member of the Hall of Fame!
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Jordan Lynch has just been inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame!
A Mount Carmel alum and Northern Illinois legend, Lynch was a 2013 Heisman finalist and first-team All-American who shattered NCAA rushing records for a quarterback. After winning a Grey Cup with Edmonton, he returned home to coach Mount Carmel to five state championships. We’re proud to welcome him as a new member of the Hall of Fame! @Jordanlynch06
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We have just played our In Memoriam tribute, honoring nine esteemed members of the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame who have recently passed away:
Mike Ditka - Chicago Bears (Class of 1985)
Bob Pulford - Chicago Blackhawks (Class of 1998)
Glenn Hall - Chicago Blackhawks (Class of 1989)
Wilbur Wood - Chicago White Sox (Class of 1990)
Lou Holtz - Notre Dame (Class of 2019)
Troy Murray - Chicago Blackhawks (Class of 2014)
Dennis Hull - Chicago Blackhawks (Class of 1990)
John Damore - Chicago Bears (Class of 2004)
Tommy John - Chicago White Sox (Class of 2013)
Their contributions to sports and our community are immeasurable. We will be posting the tribute video on the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame YouTube channel in the coming days to honor their legacies. Our thoughts are with their families and all who were inspired by their remarkable lives.
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George Rogers has just received the Gale Sayers Award and been inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame!
A 1980 Heisman Trophy winner and the first overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft, Rogers made immediate history, leading the league in rushing and earning Offensive Rookie of the Year with a record-setting debut season. He capped a standout career as a Super Bowl XXII champion before earning his place in the College Football Hall of Fame. We’re proud to welcome him as a new member of the Hall of Fame!
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Norman “Bobie” Cahn has just been inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame!
A University of Chicago standout who played under the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg, Cahn became the finest referee the early NFL had ever seen. A fixture at the Bears’ Cubs Park, his colorful personality made him such a draw that newspapers advertised games simply because he would be officiating. He worked the very first NFL Championship Game in 1933 and every one through 1938, leaving a lasting stamp on Chicagoland sports history. We’re proud to add his name to our list of Hall of Famers!
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Glen Grunwald has just been inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame!
From Franklin Park standout to NCAA champion at Indiana, Grunwald was the only player ever named to the All-Chicago area team four times and the 1976 Illinois Player of the Year. He went on to a distinguished career as an NBA executive, building the expansion Raptors into a playoff team and drafting future Hall of Famers along the way. We’re proud to welcome him as a new member of the Hall of Fame!
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Brad Guzan has just been inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame!
From Evergreen Park to the world’s biggest stages, Guzan became one of the most accomplished American goalkeepers of his generation, earning 64 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team and winning three CONCACAF Gold Cups. He spent eight seasons in the Premier League with Aston Villa before helping Atlanta United win an MLS Cup and becoming the club’s all-time appearance leader. We’re proud to welcome him as a new member of the Hall of Fame!
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Ron Rivera has just received the George Connor Award and been inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame!
A cornerstone of the legendary 1985 Bears, Rivera spent all nine of his playing seasons in Chicago and became the first person of Puerto Rican descent to win a Super Bowl. He returned as the Bears’ defensive coordinator to build another championship-caliber defense, then went on to earn two NFL Coach of the Year awards as a head coach. We’re proud to welcome him as a new member of the Hall of Fame! @RonRivera80
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Mark Giangreco has received the Excellence in Media Award and is now inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame!
For decades, Mark Giangreco brought Chicago sports fans the stories, highlights, and moments that defined generations. A three-time Emmy Award winner and one of the most recognizable voices in Chicago broadcasting history, Giangreco served as sports director and lead sports anchor at ABC7, becoming a fixture in homes across the city. We’re proud to welcome him as a new member of the Hall of Fame! @mark_giangreco
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