Inductees

The Elgin Sports Hall of Fame has inducted 219 members since 1980. All of the Inductees are celebrated for their outstanding achievements and accomplishments in their respective sport(s). As the highest honor in Elgin athletics, entrance into the Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding contributions to a variety of sports.

2026 Inductees

Cindy Bryniarski

Cindy Bryniarski, a 1962 graduate of Elgin High School, is inducted into the Elgin Sports Hall for her achievements in Golf.

Cindy-Bryniarski

Cindy Bryniarski, a 1962 graduate of Elgin High School, is inducted into the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame for her achievements in golf.

Cindy won more than 25 club championships in Arizona, Colorado, and Illinois. Starting in 1976, she won the ladies championship five times in six years at Elgin Country Club. After moving to Colorado, Cindy was a six-time champion at Hillcrest Golf Club where she shot a course record 69. From 1993-2011, she won 17 of 19 ladies’ championships at Dalton Ranch Golf Club in Durango. In addition, she was the Colorado Women’s Golf Association’s Senior Amateur Champion in stroke play in 2005 and the CWGA Senior Amateur Champ the following year.

After moving to Arizona, Cindy won the Sun City West Classic three times (2005-2007) and set club records at five different courses. She qualified for the USGA Senior Amateur Championship in 2007-2010 and for the round of 64 at the USGA Senior Amateur Championship in 2008-2010. She was a medalist in the 2007 Arizona qualifier and a co-medalist in 2008. That same year, she was the Arizona Women’s State Senior champion, the oldest winner at that time. From 2008-2010, Cindy was a three-time champion at Briarwood Golf Club where she set the course record with a 69 in 2010.

Dennis Manic

Dennis Manic, a 1970 graduate of Elgin High School, is inducted into the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame for football and baseball.

Dennis-Manic

Dennis Manic was a three year varsity baseball player for Elgin. He was an All-Conference selection (1970) and Most Valuable Player of the team when he hit .385 and led Elgin to district and sectional titles before finishing 3rd in the state finals. Manic was named to the All-State 4th Team by the Rockford Morning Star. He had previously been the youngest member and starter of the 1966 Elgin VFW Teener League National Champion All-Star Team.

Dennis was also an Upstate 8 All-Conference fullback, All-Area Honorable Mention and Team Most Valuable Player in football. He continued his football career at the University of Wisconsin. Initially a running back, Manic shifted to offensive guard where he started in 1972 and 1973. During that time, he was instrumental in blocking for two 1000 yard running backs.

Britney Whitehead

Britney Whitehead, a 2009 graduate of Larkin High School, is inducted into the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame for Track and Cross Country.

Britney-Whitehead

Britney Whitehead (Larkin High Class of 2009) is a 2025 Eastern Illinois University Hall of Fame inductee for cross country and track & field. She was a member of eight different Ohio Valley Conference championship teams in cross country (2012), indoor track (three times), and outdoor track (four times). Britney was a six-time first team All-OVC selection in indoor and outdoor track while earning first team All-OVC honors in cross country. She qualified for the NCAA West Regional in the steeplechase twice after winning the conference steeplechase championship.

Britney holds the school record in both the 1,500 meter run and steeplechase events and ranks in the top five in four other events between cross country and indoor track. At Larkin High, Britney competed in cross country and track at the varsity level all four years. She was the Upstate 8 Conference Female Athlete of the Year in 2009 when she set school records in the mile (5:17) and the 800 meter (2:16) and qualified for the state track meet in the 800.

Don “Woj” Wojciechowski

Don Wojciechowski, a 1972 graduate of Larkin High School, is being inducted into the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame for being a friend of sports.

Don-Wojciechowski

A 1972 graduate of Larkin High School, Don “Woj” Wojciechowski devoted more than three decades to telling the stories of Elgin-area athletics and strengthening the local sports community.

Woj began his career with the Elgin Courier-News as a freelance reporter in 1974, joining the staff full-time in 1977. After a brief role with the National Federation of State High School Associations, he returned to Elgin and became Sports Editor in 1984 — a position he held for 22 years. Under his leadership, coverage of Fox Valley high school athletics became both comprehensive and community-driven.
He highlighted many of the area’s most memorable achievements, including the 1985 St. Edward High School girls state basketball championship, Streamwood’s football success in the 1980s, Elgin High School’s Elite Eight basketball runs, and Dundee-Crown’s girls basketball State Finals appearance in its inaugural season. He also covered Elgin Babe Ruth and local summer leagues, ensuring athletes at every level received recognition.

Woj was known for building strong, respectful relationships with coaches and consistently promoting student-athletes with fairness and enthusiasm. The Illinois High School Association recognized his leadership and dedication to high school sports coverage.
Just as meaningful was his investment in people. Woj hired and mentored young reporters who went on to successful journalism careers. His influence extended beyond headlines to the next generation of storytellers.

Outside the newsroom, Woj gave back directly to the community. He coached at St. Laurence Grade School for eight years and served six years as Volunteer Athletic Director. He coached in Elgin Continental Little League and directed the St. Laurence Girls Basketball Holiday Classic for eight years, one of the longest-running tournaments in the Chicago suburbs at the time. He also served on the St. Edward High School Booster Club Board and was an active member of the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame board from 1988-2006. In 2006, he received the Vic Masi Award for his service. Woj was also inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Through his reporting, leadership, and volunteerism, Don “Woj” Wojciechowski ensured that generations of Elgin-area athletes were recognized, celebrated, and remembered. His lifelong commitment to local athletics embodies the true spirit of a Friend of Sports.

Katie Yohn

Katie Yohn, a 2009 graduate of St. Edwards Central Catholic HS, is inducted into the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame for volleyball and basketball.

Katie-Yohn

A 2009 graduate of St. Edward High School, Katie Yohn is one of the most accomplished multi-sport athletes in school history, excelling in both volleyball and basketball.

On the volleyball court, Yohn was a three-year contributor and key member of multiple regional championship teams, including a third-place Downstate finish as a senior. She earned Suburban Catholic Conference All-Conference honors and was named to the Chicago Daily Herald, Elgin Courier News, Champaign News Gazette, and Chicago Tribune All-Area and All-State teams, reflecting her consistent impact on a premier program.

In basketball, Yohn’s career was historic. She helped lead St. Edward to a Class 2A Elite Eight appearance and multiple regional titles. A two-time conference Player of the Year and Daily Herald Player of the Year, she was a unanimous Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-State First Team selection as a senior. She also earned Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times, Champaign News Gazette, and Elgin Courier News All-State honors and was nominated for the McDonald’s All-American Game.

Yohn finished her high school career as St. Edward’s all-time leading scorer with 1,812 points. As a senior, she averaged 23.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 4.3 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game and was named IHSA Sportsperson of the Year.

She continued her career at Bradley University, becoming one of the most decorated players in program history. Yohn finished eighth in career scoring (1,365 points) and set the school record with 210 three-pointers. She was the first player in Missouri Valley Conference history to total 1,300 points, 200 three-pointers, 450 rebounds, 250 assists, 80 blocks, and 175 steals. A Second-Team All-MVC selection and two-time Honorable Mention honoree, she was inducted into the Bradley University Sports Hall of Fame in 2024.

Professionally, Yohn competed in the United States, Australia, and Germany. She helped lead the St. Louis Surge to the 2014 WBCBL Championship and earned All-Pro honors. In Germany’s DBBL, she was a five-time All-Pro selection, led the league in three-pointers multiple seasons, set league and team records, and scored 59 points in a championship victory for TG QOOL Sharks Würzburg. Her teams earned German Championship and Cup medals as well as Central Europe Women’s League honors.

Trevann Hayes – Elgin Sports Fall of Fame Induction – 2024

Experience it in person!

If you’d like to view see Prior Years’ Inductees we invite you to the ESHOF on-site Touch Pro Experience, located at The Centre of Elgin, or visit the Virtual Hall of Fame.

BROWSE THE VIRTUAL HALL OF FAME