Friday, September 05, 2008
Sports NewsMayfield's Mutterings: Support Railer football

Former LC wrestler Matt Hughes honored by Eastern Illinois University

Send a link to a friend

[September 05, 2008]  Lincoln College alumnus Matt Hughes (LC '95) will be inducted into the Eastern Illinois University Hall of Fame Class of 2008 on Sept. 13. Hughes follows fellow coaches Dave Klemm of Lincoln College and Ralph McCausland of EIU who were also inducted into the Panthers' Hall of Fame.

HardwareKlemm, the Lincoln College athletic director, says he was delighted to hear the news. "He's very deserving of this award and should be proud of what he's accomplished in his wrestling and professional careers," said Klemm, acknowledging that he will attend the ceremony on Saturday.

Hughes, a graduate of Hillsboro High School, was a four-time state qualifier and won state titles his junior and senior year.

His college career started at Belleville Area Community College, where he placed fifth in the nation. After Belleville dropped its wrestling program, Matt and his twin brother, Mark, transferred to Lincoln College, where he placed third in the nation, finishing with a 33-3 record for the Lynx.

After earning a degree from Lincoln College, Matt continued his career at Eastern Illinois University, where he was a two-time NCAA Division I all-American, placing eighth in 1996 and fifth in 1997 at 158 pounds.

Hughes' love for competition took him to the sport of mixed martial arts fighting. In 2001, he won the world welterweight title in the Ultimate Fighting Championships and has been featured often on national television for his UFC exploits. He successfully defended his title eight times, which is more than any other fighter in the sport.

He and his wife, Audra, currently live in Hillsboro with their two children.

[Text from file received from Lincoln College]

Auto Sales

Water

Nursing Homes

 

< Sports index

Back to top


 

News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries

Community | Perspectives | Law & Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health & Fitness | Teen Scene
Calendar | Letters to the Editor