INA, IL (Oct. 29, 2021) – The Rend Lake College Sports Hall of Fame recently welcomed in a couple of outstanding former student-athletes during a ceremony held in the campus Student Center Private Dining Area.
Family and friends along with retired and current faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the HOF Class of 2020 inductees included baseball pitcher Randall Shively and basketball guard Lee “Sonny” Wyatt.
“Tonight is about you guys,” RLC Athletic Director Tim Wills said. “We want to make this night special for you.”
The first inductee of the night was Randall Shively, a pitcher who was an integral part of the 1977-79 Warriors baseball teams. During his freshman year, he was a relief pitcher in a four man-pitching rotation and finished 2-0 that fall. He went on to have a two-time All-Star pitcher.
Class of 2018 RLC Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, First-Team catcher and former RLC Warrior teammate Scott Wagner introduced Shively. He described Shively as someone he looked up to during his freshman year at Rend Lake.
“There’s not a more deserving person,” Wagner said. “He should have been in way ahead of me because he did lead the pack for me… He was a real true inspiration for all of us. I could stand up here and talk about his curveball, his fastball and all these things. It’s his high moral character is what I want to talk about and his loyalty as a team leader.”
Brought up his Warriors ball, a memento that he said has had longer than he has known most people, Shively spoke candidly about his early days as a player, the struggles he faced his first semester in college and away from home and the day he decided to give 110 percent in academics and his athletic career.
“I was going to do my part and was hoping God would do his part,” he said. “I couldn’t have predicted. I couldn’t have dreamed. I couldn’t have planned a better outcome than what took place. I owe all that credit to Rend Lake College and Coach Mike McClure. Thanks for giving me a chance. Things can happen if you are given a chance.”
The second inductee, Lee “Sonny” Wyatt, averaged 16.7 points in 29 games as a freshman. His sophomore year he emerged as the scoring leader with 16.5 points per game in 25 games. He also was the second-best shooting percentage both seasons, including 49.0 percent in ’72-73, quite an accomplishment for a guard considering the range of many of his attempts.
During his sophomore year, the Warriors went 20-6 and produced the first-ever league championship.
Class of 2019 RLC Sports Hall of Fame Alumni Coach Brad Weathers introduced Sonny Wyatt said he counts his former teammate as among the top players he has ever had the privilege to know.
“He is one of the best all-around athletes I’ve ever been around,” Weathers said.
Wyatt said he was grateful to be added into the RLC Sports Hall of Fame, especially since his time at the college impacted so much of his life.
“I look at Rend Lake as the foundation for a lot of [our] lives,” Wyatt said. “You come out of a small town and you really don’t know what’s going on. You try to give some momentum in your life. It was such a comforting and encouraging environment there."
Inductee Accomplishments:
RANDALL SHIVELY / Baseball (1977-79)
Right-handed pitcher was First-Team All-State as freshman when he was 9-1 (2.13 ERA) for 38-18 team, Second-Team All-State as sophomore.
⭐ State Earned Run Average leader at 0.73 in final stats, with no runs allowed in last 25 innings and 7-0 spring mark prior to post-season. It took Wabash Valley 11 innings before he finally lost in route-going Section 8 Tourney, 5-4, despite 14 Ks.
⭐ Coach Mike McClure cited his intensity pitching and winter workout regimen . . . “Shively is a nice kid to be around, but when he is on the mound he’s a wild man.”
⭐ The 6-1, 170-pounder from Whitesville, KY, pitched sparingly in fall as freshman (2-0, 12.2 IP for 11-11 squad) before becoming staff workhorse in spring – 59 IP, 53 K, 1.37 ERA.
⭐ Starting pitcher for South in end-of-season ’78 Region IV (state) All-Star Game in Chicago and then hurled Owensboro Velvet Bombers to American Legion State Championship.
⭐ Warriors finished a combined 27-24 sophomore year, when he ranked No. 1 with 84.0 IP, 108 K, 7-6 record and 2.68 ERA.
⭐ Career: 155.2 IP, 167 K, 76 BB, 16-7 W-L, 2.43 ERA.
⭐ Set the example for two underclass teammates – SS Doug Creel (HOF Charter Member) and C Scott Wagner (HOF Class of 2018).
⭐ Returned to native Kentucky last two seasons to play for legendary Coach Johnny Reagan and Murray State University Racers (20-15 and 26-18).
⭐ Returned to RLC to serve as Director of Physical Plant for 21 years, 1995-2016, before retirement. Randall and wife Randa are parents of three children and live in Wayne City.
LEE “SONNY” WYATT / Men’s Basketball (1971-73)
Scoring (16.5 ppg) and assist (2.9) pacesetter as well as First-Team All-Southern Illinois College Conference pick for first Warrior cage squad to win 20 games after 16 seasons (including MVCC).
⭐ That 20-6 campaign in ’72-73 was preceded by a then-record 18-11 slate during which he was second-best at 16.7 ppg with a team-high 2.0 apg.
⭐ Career 896-point total ranked 6-foot guard No. 2 all-time behind HOF Charter Member Lee Yearwood and still rates among leaders, despite playing fewer games than all but two others.
⭐ Made 49% FG, with high of 31 vs. Kaskaskia en route to team’s first SICC crown (7-1) in ’72-73, when team averaged 87.0 ppg with 14 games of 90-plus points. Opened with eight wins, another record.
⭐ Freshman season produced 11 games of 90 or more and 94.0 ppg.
⭐ Career: 16.6 ppg (46.6% FG, 70.3% FT), 2.5 rpg, 2.4 apg. Teams set nine records, three of them twice.
⭐ All-SICC as a freshman baseball outfielder but did not play as a soph to concentrate on studies. After graduating with honors, earned Accounting Degree from SIUC and MBA from Washington U. leading to successful career as CFO / Executive positions with several major companies.
⭐ Met wife-to-be, Cheerleader Jaci Brown, on-campus. They are parents of sons Lance, Kyle and Jay.
⭐ Steeleville product played alongside prep mates Bruce Harmsen and Roy Rieckenberg in Ina. Second-year squad included HOF inductees Ronnie Henderson, Randy Lemay, Brad Weathers, John Kretz and Coaches Jim Waugh and Mike McClure.
Check out the full ceremony on the Rend Lake College YouTube channel.
