Eureka Athletics Announce 2024 Hall of Fame Class

EUREKA, Ill. – One former Red Devil student-athlete and one championship team will be inducted into the Eureka College Athletics Hall of Fame this Fall. Reginald (Hughley) Blanton '80 and the 2018 football team will make up the 2024 Hall of Fame Class. The Class of 2024 will be officially welcomed into the Eureka College Athletics Hall of Fame during Homecoming weekend. The induction ceremony will take place inside Becker Auditorium on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 10 a.m.

Blanton was a four-year member of the Eureka College men's basketball team, he played for the Red Devils from 1976-80.

In his senior year (1979-80), Blanton delivered the best statistical season of his collegiate career. He led the Red Devils in points (447), points per game (17.9), field goals made (179), field goal percentage (56.7%), rebounds (229) and rebounds per game (9.2). Led by Blanton's huge senior season, the 1979-80 Eureka College men's basketball team would go on to finish with an overall record of 21-5.

Blanton is currently tied for sixth in school history in career rebounds (740) with his former teammate, Ed Brady (1977-81). He also remains ninth in school history in field goals made (511) and is one of just three Eureka College men's basketball alumni to record over 1,000 career points prior to the Red Devils' entry into the NCAA. Blanton finished his career with a total of 1,241 points.

The 2018 Eureka College football team won the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Championship in the program's inaugural season as a member of the conference. With a 9-2 overall record and a 6-1 finish in the NACC, the 2018 team remains tied for the second winningest team in program history.

In the regular season, the Red Devils lost just one game by a single point and outscored their opponents by an average of 19.4 points per game. The 2018 team became the first team in program history to reach the NCAA Division III playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

Immediately following the induction ceremony, a reception will follow in the Terrill Rooms in the Cerf Center.  To round out Homecoming Saturday, the Football game against Concordia Chicago will be kicking off at 3 p.m. with tailgate beginning at noon. Tailgate will feature several food trucks, yard games, and music.