NeveHarms It is appropriate that this prestigious award named for Neve Harms be awarded this year to co-winner Walter Eisele, as Walt was one of the original members of the Proctor Recreation Comet Club, a youth group founded by Neve Harms in 1935. A retired electrician, Walt has been involved with youth-oriented organizations for over 50 years, either by spearheading fundraisers for youth programs or by co-ordinating youth sports activities. A graduate of Manual where he lettered in football, Walt has always been a "doer" - whatever the job, big or small, he does it!! He has been a long-time member, former Board Member and Past President of the Independent Sports Club; he has also been active in the Old Timers Baseball Association, serving on their Board of Directors for several years. Read More A charter Board member and co-founder of the Spalding Booster Club, he was named "Spalding Booster of the Year" in 1966-67 for his many years of service to that group. For his outstanding and dedicated service to Carver Center, he was honored by their Board of Directors. His volunteer efforts also involve the "Meals on Wheels" program. Walt is currently President of the "Friends of Fatherless Boys and Girls," a group that he helped form over 20 years ago. This is probably his favorite youth program, as he has been a Board Member since its beginning. An avid sports fan, Walt's retirement years have been occupied with golf, bowling, and fishing. Although Walt and Gert, his wife of 47 years, travel extensively, he still finds time for his two daughters and threee grandchildren. It is a bit ironic that he met Gert on the tennis courts of Proctor Center. One of Walt's first jobs was as a life guard at Proctor Center. Who gave him that job - none other than Neve Harms himself!!" Home Inductees Neve Harms Tri-County Nominations Donations Banquet Photos Contact us
Tri-County Youth Sports Grant Pete Vonachen
Tri-County Youth Sports Grant Winners
Whenever the promotion of a sports project or other worthwhile activity takes place in the Peoria area, Pete Vonachen's name appears in the list of supporters. An avid sports enthusiast and premiere restaurateur, "Pete" saved professional baseball for Peoria when he purchased the town's Class A Midwest Franchise after the 1983 season, turning it into a model for the nation. Stressing first-class facilities and a belief that fans should have fun at the ball park, Vonachen, with the cooperation of the Peoria Park District, turned Meinen Field into such an attractive park that it won the 1987 Midwest League Gold Award for the most outstanding facility in the league. Vonachen's team has led the Midwest League in attendance in three of the four seasons he's been owner and last year set an all-time league mark of 196,000 fans. In 1984, he switched Peoria's major league affiliation to the Chicago Cubs; and in 1985 he was named Class A Executive of the Year by the Sporting News. Pete was a past winner of the Neve Harms Meritorious Service to Sports Award, served on the Peoria Park Board for several years, and was Tri-County Outstanding Sports Figure of the year in 1985. One of the most recognizable personalities in Central Illinois, Peoria baseball fans are fortunate to have such a person with his vitality and driving ambition. DEDICATED TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS MAKING SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO SPORTS HISTORY IN THE GREATER PEORIA, IL AREA ©2003-2018 Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
