Former Auroran University student-athletes and coaches were inducted into AU's Hall of Fame on Saturday, Jan. 26. From left are Charlie Bell, Anacordes, Wash., a 1958 Aurora College graduate and Geneva H.S. sophomore football coach; Jennifer Gabel Buckley, Montgomery, Ill., AU '95; Amy Periman Scheller, Montgomery, Ill., AU '94; and Jim Scott, AU football coach from 1986 to 2004.  Photo by News Bulletion staff.

Local residents were inducted into Aurora University’s Athletic Hall of Fame at a ceremony at midcourt in Thornton Gymnasium Saturday, Jan. 26.

Inducted were Jennifer Gabel Buckley, Montgomery, Ill., a 1995 AU alum; Amy Periman Scheller, Montgomery, Ill., AU ’94; Jim Scott, Aurora, Ill. ;  and Charlie Bell, Anacordes, Wash.; former Geneva High School sophomore football coach, Aurora College ’58.

The quartet was recognized during halftime of the AU-Milwaukee School of Engineering men’s varsity game. AU won 85-60.

AU President Rebecca L. Sherrick presented awards. She was assisted by Ron Hem, AU board of trustees chairman; and Jim Hamad, new athletic director.

Gabel, director of AU’s School of Health and Physical Education and head women’s basketball coach from 1999 to 2005, earned Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Conference basketball player of the year in 1993 and 1995.

Scheller, a Naperville Fire Department lieutenant, was NCAA Division 3 softball All-American and also lettered in basketball and tennis.

Jim Hamad, center, new Aurora University athletic director, made his first public appearance at AU's Hall of Fame Day. From left are Jason Buckley, West Aurora High School athletic director; Hamad; and Donna Benson Proctor, West High department chair.  Photo by News Bulletion staff.

Scott, AU head football coach from 1986 to 2004 and a mathematics instructor, was named Illini-Badger Conference Coach of the Year in 2001 and received the 2005 Tony Olejnik Leadership Service Award. Scott continues to teach mathematics.

After the men’s varsity game with MSOE, the award winners were honored at a dinner program in the university banquet hall. Provost Andrew Manion presided.

In brief remarks, Hamad said his priorities will be improved athletic facilities, student-athlete recruiting and expanded conference and Division 3 awards.

After dinner, the award winners comprised a panel that answered questions from student athletes about success in life and athletics.