Willowbrook inducts Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2017, hosts annual Pack the Place night

On Feb. 2, Willowbrook inducted members into its Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2017 during a dinner at The Carlisle in Lombard.

The 2017 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees are:

  • Mike Battista (Class of 1964 – Football and Wrestling)

  • Chris Kuntz (Class of 1976 – Cross-Country and Track)

  • Pete Kolzow (Class of 1993 – Football, Wrestling and Track)

  • Bryan Murphy Jr. (Class of 1998 – Wrestling and Soccer)

  • John Hamann (1966-2000 – Coach)

Hamann passed away in 2010 from complications from lung cancer. Accepting the award on his behalf are his sons, Jim and Jeff, his daughter, Julie, and his wife, Jalaine.

  • Rich Rentner (1984-Current – Outstanding Contributor)

  • Pom Pon Team (2004-05 – State Champion)

To see the program from the evening, which includes information about the 2017 inductees and past inductees, go to https://www.dupage88.net/site/public/files/?item=3256.

Top left: Willowbrook Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2017 inductees are recognized before the Varsity Boys Basketball game on Feb. 3, during the school’s District 88 Foundation Pack the Place event (along with their family members). Top right: Willowbrook Athletic Booster Club Vice President Dan Olson holds up a cutout of Hall of Fame inductee Rich Rentner, who was honored as an Outstanding Contributor. Bottom left: Willowbrook alumni (from left) Pete Kolzow (class of 1993 and Hall of Fame inductee), Lance Bettini (class of 1992) and Josh Bruschuk (class of 1992) enjoy Pack the Place night at Willowbrook. Bottom right: Willowbrook Head Football Coach Nick Hildreth's children – Florence, 3 (left), and Halas, 4 – show their Warrior Pride.

The inductees also were recognized before the Willowbrook Varsity Boys Basketball game on Feb. 3, during the school’s District 88 Foundation Pack the Place event. Pack the Place welcomes alumni back to Willowbrook to network and reconnect with their alma mater and fellow graduates in the balcony. During that event, the Pom Pon Team honored the 2004-05 State Champion team members by performing their State-winning number.