Local coach, athletes to be honored at West Aurora Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony

The West Aurora High School Athletic Department and the Blackhawk Sports Boosters will host the West Aurora High School Athletic Hall of Fame reception and induction ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 17. The event will begin at 3 p.m. in the Veterans Fieldhouse, 1201 W. New York St., Aurora. It will be followed by the induction ceremony in the main gym at approximately 4:45 p.m. The celebration will conclude as the varsity boys basketball team takes on the Plainfield East Bengals with tip-off at 5 p.m.

The Class of 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees includes a distinguished coach and four accomplished alumni whose contributions span decades of Blackhawk athletics.

• Bob Fowler has dedicated more than three decades to West Aurora High School as a coach in football, wrestling, and track. Since 1989, he has mentored hundreds of student-athletes, including numerous All-Conference and All-State performers, while contributing to multiple conference championships and playoff teams. His long-standing commitment and leadership have left a lasting impact on Blackhawk athletics.

• Cathy Hofer, Class of 1985, is one of the most accomplished tennis players in West Aurora history. She remains the school’s only IHSA State Singles Champion, earning the title as a sophomore, and was part of a highly successful team recognized as the “Super Six.” Cathy went on to play at Clemson University, where she became an All-American and was later inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame.

• Joe McWilliams, Class of 2003, was a standout tennis player known for his success at the state level. He captured the IHSA State Singles Championship as a senior and completed an undefeated final season, finishing with more than 100 career wins. Joe continued his tennis career at Michigan State University, where he competed at the collegiate level and represented West Aurora on a national stage.

• Scott Ruddy, Class of 1974, excelled as a multi-sport athlete in cross country, basketball, and baseball. He earned All-Conference honors in baseball, helped lead West Aurora to multiple state finals appearances, and went on to earn a baseball scholarship at the University of Denver, where he set program records. Scott later signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, fulfilling a lifelong goal of playing professional baseball.

• Devin Vaughn, Class of 2010, was a three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball, and softball, earning varsity letters across nearly every season of her high school career. She scored more than 1,000 points in basketball and received multiple All-Conference and All-Area honors. Devin continued her athletic career at Elmhurst University, where she also pursued opportunities in coaching and education.

Community members are invited to attend the Hall of Fame celebration and remain for the basketball game that evening. Tickets for the game may be purchased in advance by visiting sd129.org, which will direct guests to the official online ticketing platform.