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 The event is open to the public, and the deadline for reservations
is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for
children age 18 and younger. Seating is limited so early
reservations are recommended. To make reservations or for more
information, contact Mary Jo Werth in the Advancement Office at
(217) 732-3155 ext. 217 or toll free 877-522-5867, or e-mail
mjwerth@lincolncollege.edu.
The Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates the long and
exemplary history of athletics at Lincoln College. In naming the
class of 2015, the Hall of Fame Committee selected individuals whose
accomplishments and involvement represent as much of Lincoln
College’s athletic history as possible. The inductees are:
Bill Zimmer, male athlete from 1957 to 1959. Zimmer was
recruited to play basketball for the Lynx by coach Norm Kaye. While
at Lincoln College, Zimmer was named to the All-Conference Second
Team his freshman and sophomore seasons. He was named Co-Captain of
the Basketball Team during his sophomore year and shared leadership
duties with fellow teammate, Jim Heinzel. Zimmer posted 33 points in
one game against rival Lincoln Bible Institute. During his
commencement from Lincoln College, Zimmer received the Dysart Logan
Maconaghie Prize for Scholarship Improvement. Zimmer is still
actively involved with Lincoln College and has served on the Alumni
Committee for eight years.
Robert Grey, male athlete from the class of 1982. Grey was an
outstanding wrestler for the Lynx and won the NJCAA Wrestling
Championship in 1981. He represented the United States in the
Pan-American Games in Caracas, Venezuela in 1983, winning the Gold
Medal. During his time at Lincoln College, Grey was coached by
fellow Hall of Fame Inductee, Rex Branum. Always an athlete and a
great achiever, Grey was inducted for his wrestling legacy
posthumously into the NJCAA Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007 and the
Lynx Hall of Fame Class 2015.
Donna Bonebrake, female coach from 1981 to 1991. Bonebrake
earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in
education at Eastern Illinois University. She taught and coached
volleyball, basketball, and track at Robinson High School in
Robinson, IL for nine years before coming to Lincoln College in
1981. Bonebrake coached softball and women’s basketball and taught
at Lincoln College for 11 years. She also served as the Assistant
Athletic Director. Her first year coaching at Lincoln College,
Bonebrake led the Lady Lynx Softball team to the national tournament
with a third place finish and had a career record of 308-166 in 11
seasons. In women’s basketball she posted a 230-119 record, and led
the Lady Lynx to a National Tournament appearance in 1985. Bonebrake
continued her coaching career at Indiana State University and led
the Sycamores to a berth in the National Invitational Championship.
She later coached at Indiana University where she coached Olympic
Athlete Michelle Venturella and many other athletes who played
professionally. Bonebrake was drafted by the women’s professional
softball league the St. Louis Hummers and was traded to the Buffalo
affiliate. Bonebrake influenced many players during her coaching
career and was honored for her dedication to Lincoln College as the
Honorary Alumna in 2007.
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Rex Branum, male coach from 1977 to 1991. Branum was an all-state
wrestler in high school and continued his wrestling career at Joliet Junior
College, University of Arizona and Eastern Illinois where he earned his
Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education in 1977 and completed a Master’s Degree
in 1984 from ISU. Branum accepted the wrestling coaching position and led the
1989 and 1991wrestling teams to NJCAA National Titles. The Lynx 1989 and 1991
teams are the only private school teams to accomplish these titles in wrestling.
During 1989 and 1991, Branum was named NCJAA Coach of the Year. After his
successful career at Lincoln College, Branum coached at Lassen Community College
in California and lead his teams to four NJCAA team titles. During his career,
Branum has coached more than 30 NJCAA individual champions, including fellow
inductee Robert Gray, and 150 All-Americans. In 2001, Branum was inducted into
the NJCAA Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.
Mike and Jan Stephenson, long-time friends and supporters of Lincoln
College Athletics. The Stephenson’s love for athletics was noticeable. A staple
in the stands, Mike and Jan could be found supporting all Lincoln College
athletes. Their son Matt was on the Lynx wrestling team in 1990 and 1991. The
Stephenson’s naturally had an affinity for the wrestling team and traveled with
them to the National Championship in 1991. The Stephenson’s also became close to
the girls basketball team and coach Vicki Vaughan. On several occasions the
Stephenson’s had the team over to their home for dinner to celebrate special
occasions. They continued to follow some of the Lynx basketball players into
their future careers at Bradley University and Arizona State University. Their
support of college athletics still continues to this day. The Stephenson’s were
not only big supporters of athletics, but also academics. Jan taught at Lincoln
College from 1987 to 2000. She sponsored Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and
stayed active serving on many academic committees.
The Lincoln College Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes student athletes, teams,
coaches, managers, administrators, faculty, staff, and friends who have
distinguished themselves in the field of athletics at Lincoln College, either by
their performance on an athletic team or by meritorious efforts in supporting
the athletic program at the College. The Hall of Fame banquet is part of the
2015 Homecoming and Family Weekend activities taking place from November 2
through 8 on the Lincoln campus.
[Christina Xamis, Lincoln College]
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