Published on August 5, 2025 8:50 am
Last Updated on August 5, 2025 8:50 am
The National Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee announced the 2025 inductees in the Media, Former Student Athlete, Professional Athlete, Twelfth Man and Coaches categories.
The 2025 induction ceremony will be held Friday, November 21 at the Teutopolis Banquet Hall in Teutopolis.
Twelfth Man Award Inductee is Bill Farrey.
Farrey served as a dedicated scorekeeper for over 40 years at both the junior high and high school levels, supporting both boys’ and girls’ basketball programs. His commitment to youth athletics extends beyond the scorer’s table. He has also contributed his time to the Tom Bryant Skills Camp, assisting with grade school basketball for both boys and girls.
In addition to scorekeeping, Farrey has coached and officiated boys’ and girls’ teams from grades one through six with the Effingham Park District, helping young athletes grow in skill and sportsmanship. Outside of sports, he has volunteered with the Knights of Columbus Annual Intellectual Disabilities Fund Drive, further demonstrating his selfless service to the community.
Media Inductee is Mark Weiler.
Weiler, the Sports Director at WVLN-WSEI-WIKK-WOWA, has dedicated over 35 years to covering athletics throughout southeastern Illinois. He has broadcast countless high school baseball and basketball games and serves as the voice of both men’s and women’s college basketball at Olney Central College. Mark’s distinctive voice and enduring passion for sports have made him a fixture in the community and a respected leader in regional sports media.
Former Student Athlete Inductee is Brittany Johnson.
A basketball standout, Johnson made history at East Richland High School in Olney, becoming the first player, male or female, in state history to surpass 4,000 career points, finishing with 4,031. Her incredible accomplishments on the court set a new standard for excellence. Brittany is currently serving as the Assistant Girls Basketball Coach at Northwestern University in Evanston.
Professional Athlete inductee is Ross Wolf.
Wolf is a former Major League pitcher and standout athlete from Newton High School. Wolf was a key member of the Newton Eagles’ 2001 Class A IHSA State Championship team and went on to continue his baseball career at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel.
In 2002, Ross was selected in the 189th round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft and signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins. Over the course of his professional career, he made stops with several Major League Baseball organizations including the Florida Marlins, Baltimore Orioles, Oakland Athletics, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers. He also competed internationally, playing in the Korean Baseball Organization in South Korea.
Ross concluded his professional playing career after returning to the Texas Rangers organization in 2014 and officially announced his retirement in 2016.
Coach Inductee is Ron Reed.
Former Effingham High School head boys basketball coach Ron Reed has been selected for induction into the National Athletic Hall of Fame. Over a distinguished 30-year coaching career, Reed made stops at Lawrenceville High School, Harrisburg High School and North Clay High School (twice). While at North Clay, he led the program to its first-ever basketball regional championship in 1990, achieved four 20-win seasons and posted an impressive overall record of 185-85.
At Effingham High School, Coach Reed spent 15 seasons at the helm of the Hearts, leading his team to eight 20-win seasons, three regional championships (2008, 2010, 2012), six Apollo Conference titles and an overall record of 107-35.
Reed’s teams were known for their signature tough defensive play. He concluded his career with an overall record of 484 wins and 307 losses.
Coach Inductee is Justin Fleener
Justin Fleener is the current head baseball coach at Teutopolis High School. With over two decades leading the Wooden Shoes, Coach Fleener has added to the storied legacy of Teutopolis baseball, known for its grit, tradition and “never give up” mentality.
Coach Fleener’s impressive resume includes — Four State championships in 2010, 2011, 2017, 2019; two State Runner-Up finishes in 2018 and 2025; Three Third Place finishes in 2005, 2013 and 2015, 20 regional titles, 15 sectional titles, nine seasons with 20-plus wins, 10 seasons with 30-plus wins and a career record of 614 wins and 158 losses.