The Jacksonville High School Crimsons Sports Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce the 2026 induction class. The class consists of ten individuals in a myriad of sports.
The induction ceremony will take place at the Bowl in Jacksonville on Saturday, February 7. The ceremony will be held in between the JV and varsity boys’ basketball games. It will take place at approximately 6:15pm. The JHS Sports Hall of Fame Committee selects a class every three years. If you are interested in nominating individuals for the next class, the nomination form can be found on the Jacksonville High School website under athletics. Please send completed forms to the Jacksonville High School athletic director.
2026 Jacksonville High School Crimsons Sports Hall of Fame Class
Emilie Bezler (2018)
Emilie was a Jacksonville J’ette four–year varsity member and three–year captain. She captained
an IHSA sectional champion squad, was a member of the inaugural IHSA state qualifying team,
and was part of numerous IDTA state title teams. Emilie was the first J’ette to win an IDTA state
solo title in 2018. (Miss IDTA) She was named Capital Region “Best in Preps” athlete for
competitive dance in 2017. She was Miss IDTA soloist runner up in 2017. Emilie won numerous
regional awards for IDTA and was a three–time All–American for the National Dance Alliance,
including Top All–American in 2017. Emilie auditioned and joined the Edge Performing Arts
Center Scholarship Program in Los Angeles after high school. She is a professional dancer that
has performed for musicians, been featured in several movies and streaming services, and has
performed at both the Grammys and the Super Bowl.
Julie Manker Brennan (1993)
Julie was a versatile athlete at Jacksonville High School. She earned letters in volleyball,
basketball, and softball. Julie’s senior year she was named team MVP in volleyball. That same
year she was named to the Champaign News–Gazette’s All–State Team. She was also named to
the all–tournament teams for the JHS and Rich East volleyball tournaments. Julie also claimed
MVP laurels for the girls’ basketball team her senior year. In the spring of 1992, Julie would help
lead the softball team driving in a whopping 40 runs. Julie would go onto play collegiate
volleyball at Butler University. She also served one year as the head volleyball coach for the
Crimsons in 2005.
Steve Bone (1965)
Steve was a center for Crimsons on the hardcourt. He was instrumental on helping the 1964–
1965 team reach the “Sweet 16.” Coach Rich “Itchy Jones” claimed, “Not only was he an
outstanding basketball player, but he was an excellent student leader of his class both on and
off the athletic field.” Steve took part in many extracurricular activities and excelled
academically. Steve also participated in track and field and tennis at Jacksonville High School.
Upon graduation, Steve attended The College of Wooster and was a member of their basketball
team. In the summer of 1967, Steve was a member of an all–star basketball team that played
several games in West Africa. After undergraduate school, Steve received a degree from
Columbia law school and embarked on his career.
DeVante Clark (2014)
DeVante was a star for both the boys’ track and field and football programs. DeVante was a
three–time Central State All–Conference member in boys’ track and field. He was a three–time
All–State member for medaling at state three years in a row. DeVante was a member of the
2013 4 X 100 state championship relay. He also received fifth place at state for high jump in
2012. In 2014 DeVante finished fifth in the 400 meters at state and seventh in the high jump. (5
career state medals) On the gridiron, DeVante was voted team captain his senior year. He was
voted defensive MVP two years in a row by his teammates. DeVante was a Central State 8 All–
Conference selection his senior year. DeVante was awarded an athletic scholarship in football
to Western Illinois University.
DeVante was a star for both the boys’ track and field and football programs. DeVante was a
three–time Central State All–Conference member in boys’ track and field. He was a three–time
All–State member for medaling at state three years in a row. DeVante was a member of the
2013 4 X 100 state championship relay. He also received fifth place at state for high jump in
2012. In 2014 DeVante finished fifth in the 400 meters at state and seventh in the high jump. (5
career state medals) On the gridiron, DeVante was voted team captain his senior year. He was
voted defensive MVP two years in a row by his teammates. DeVante was a Central State 8 All–
Conference selection his senior year. DeVante was awarded an athletic scholarship in football
to Western Illinois University.
Kara Brown Franke (1998)
Kara was a member of the 1997 Elite 8 volleyball team. She was a three–year letter winner in
volleyball. Kara was a second team All–State member on the Champaign News Gazette all state
selections in 1997. She was first team CS8 all–conference in 1997. She was also awarded
numerous all–tournament teams. Kara finished her JHS career with 1,853 assists, eclipsing the
school record previously held by Missy Aggert. Kara also holds the school record for single
season assists with 986 (1997). Upon graduation, Kara continued her volleyball career at
Rockhurst University in Kansas City. She continued her setting dominance there, finishing her
career with 6,560 assists and 1,587 digs. The 6,560 assists are a school record. Kara was
selected to the Rockhurst University Women’s Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Gabe Megginson (2015)
Gabe Megginson was a star on the football field and on the track and field team for the
Crimsons. In football, Gabe was a four–year letter winner. He started three years on the
Crimson offensive line. He earned All–State his senior year recognized by the Illinois High School
Football Coaches Association. Gabe was also a two–time CS8 All–Conference Selection. He was
selected as a Semper Fidelis All–American his senior year. Gabe was also a four–year letter
winner in track and field. He was a 2014 IHSA Sectional champion in shot put. He placed fifth in
state at the IHSA shotput state finals, making him an All–State selection in 2014. In the spring of
2015, Gabe was an IHSA sectional champion in discus. A week later he earned eighth place in
the IHSA discus state finals, making him All–State. Gabe was a two–time CS8 All–Conference
team member in track and field. Upon graduation, Gabe signed a full ride scholarship to play
football at the University of Illinois. Gabe played two seasons at the University of Illinois
including some starts on the offensive line. Gabe then transferred to Illinois State and played
three seasons for the Redbirds, becoming a stalwart on their offensive line.
Jay Meyer (1988)
Jay was a star on the tennis court for Jacksonville High School. He was the number one player
for the Crimsons for all four of his years.Jay was a two–time winner of the Greater
Midwesterner Conference singles championship.Jay advanced to the IHSA state tournament
three times. Hisjunior andsenior yearsJay teamed up with doubles partner Bobby Thomson.
The duowon several regular season tournamentsand weretwo–timeIHSA sectional
champions. During their senior year,Jay and Bobbyfinishedseventhat theIHSA state
tournament, earning them All–State honors.Jay wasalso a member of the JHS boys’ basketball
team.During his senior year, the 1987–1988 Crimsons won both a regional and asectional title
and advanced to the “Sweet 16.”Upon graduation, Jay attended EasternIllinoisUniversity and
played tennis for four years.
Jay was a star on the tennis court for Jacksonville High School. He was the number one player
for the Crimsons for all four of his years.Jay was a two–time winner of the Greater
Midwesterner Conference singles championship.Jay advanced to the IHSA state tournament
three times. Hisjunior andsenior yearsJay teamed up with doubles partner Bobby Thomson.
The duowon several regular season tournamentsand weretwo–timeIHSA sectional
champions. During their senior year,Jay and Bobbyfinishedseventhat theIHSA state
tournament, earning them All–State honors.Jay wasalso a member of the JHS boys’ basketball
team.During his senior year, the 1987–1988 Crimsons won both a regional and asectional title
and advanced to the “Sweet 16.”Upon graduation, Jay attended EasternIllinoisUniversity and
played tennis for four years.
Latisha Johnson Nosa (2000)
Latisha was afour–year letter winner in track and field for JHS. She was a three–time IHSA state
qualifier, and two–time All–State member. Latisha place third in shotput at the 2000 IHSA state
finals. Sheplacedsixthin shotput during the 1999 IHSA state finals. Latisha garnered CS8 All–
Conference honors for three years. She was also a member of the JHS girls’ basketball team.
Upon graduating, Latisha enrolled at Illinois State University on a track scholarship. She was a
two–time Missouri Valley Conference champion in shotput.Latisha’s collegiate success allowed
her an opportunity to compete at the Olympic trials in 2004.
Brian Scott (1996)
Brian was a standout distance runner for both the JHS cross country and boys’ trackand field
programs. Brian finished third in the CS8 conference meet his junior year. He followed that up
by winning the CS8 meet his senior year, a season where he won all eleven regular season
meets. Brian’s time of 15:06 on the home course at Community Park is the sixth fastest time
ever recorded in competition. On the track, Brian earned all–state honors as a member of the
1994 3200–meter relay team that still holds theschool record. Brian was a four–time CS8 track
and field champion in the 3200–meter relay, the 800 meters, and the 1600 meters. Upon
graduation, Brian attended Southern Illinois University and ran for their program for one year
before transferring to NorthCentral College and continuing his college career. He earned All–
Midwest Region honorsand competed in the 2000 NCAA Division III National championship. He
earned CCIW All–Conference honors in both cross country and track. Brian has remained an
active runner and has competed in 19 marathons with a personal best time of 2:31 and has
twice won the Colorado marathon.
Bobby Thomson (1988)
Bobby was a standout on the tennis court for Jacksonville High School for four years. He
qualified for the IHSA state finals for both his junior and senior seasons. Bobby teamed up with
teammate Jay Meyer for doubles competition for their junior and senior seasons. The duo won
numerous regular season tournaments including Pekin and Belleville during their senior year.
During their junior season, the pair defeated the number one ranked doubles team in the state
who were also defending state champions. Bobby and Jay were two–time IHSA sectional
champions. During their senior season, the pair amassed a 25–4 record. After winning the IHSA
sectional, Jay and Bobby would win four matches at the IHSA state tournament, earning a
seventh–place finish and all–state honors. Bobby would attend DePauw University after
graduation and continue his tennis career. He was named all–conference three times during his
college career.
Bobby was a standout on the tennis court for Jacksonville High School for four years. He
qualified for the IHSA state finals for both his junior and senior seasons. Bobby teamed up with
teammate Jay Meyer for doubles competition for their junior and senior seasons. The duo won
numerous regular season tournaments including Pekin and Belleville during their senior year.
During their junior season, the pair defeated the number one ranked doubles team in the state
who were also defending state champions. Bobby and Jay were two–time IHSA sectional
champions. During their senior season, the pair amassed a 25–4 record. After winning the IHSA
sectional, Jay and Bobby would win four matches at the IHSA state tournament, earning a
seventh–place finish and all–state honors. Bobby would attend DePauw University after
graduation and continue his tennis career. He was named all–conference three times during his
college career.
