BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The 1996 and 2001 Illinois Wesleyan football teams, both College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin champions, will be honored at halftime of the Homecoming game at Tucci Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14.

On Saturday at 1 p.m. at Tucci Stadium, No. 11-ranked Illinois Wesleyan (5-1, 3-1 CCIW) squares off against CCIW foe Carroll University (1-4, 1-2 CCIW). Go here for complete game notes for Saturday.

The 1996 team went unbeaten in the conference at 7-0 and finished with a 10-1 overall record, losing in the second round of the NCAA playoffs to Mount Union. Team captains were QB Lon Erickson, SS Garrett Larkin, LB John Munch and WR Ryan Tusek. Adam Slotkus was an All-American center in 1996 and Erickson won the Gagliardi Trophy honoring the nation's top Division III player. Team captains were QB Lon Erickson, SS Garrett Larkin, LB John Munch and WR Ryan Tusek. Adam Slotkus was an All-American center in 1996 and Erickson won the Gagliardi Trophy honoring the nation's top Division III player. Before his season was cut short with an injury, Deon Hornsby led the team in rushing with 850 yards and Tusek was the top receiver (726 yards on 57 catches).
1996 Team Statistics

The 2001 team tied for first in the CCIW with a 6-1 league mark and was 7-2 overall. Team captains were DB Brad Andrekus, QB Kyle Eash, TE Shaun Frizielle, CB Craig Kastning, Jacob Quinton, LB Andy Rader. The team was led in passing by Josh  Akin, in rushing by Aaron Telford and in receiving by Tim Snyder. Telford and Andrekus were the team's most valuable players on offense and defense, respectively.
2001 Team Statistics

In addition, Illinois Wesleyan 1972 graduate Wayne Messmer — recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award — will sing the national anthem prior to the Homecoming game. A Chicago native, Messmer is a professional speaker, singer, broadcaster, author and actor. The long-time former Chicago Cubs public address announcer, Messmer is known as the "Voice of Wrigley Field" for singing the national anthem before many Cubs games, including in the 2016 World Series.