In the 2003 football playoff win over Providence Catholic, Russ Weil had a game-winning pick six.

He played linebacker, and he helped secure the win 14-7 with a 37-yard interception he returned for a touchdown.

“I felt amazing.” Weil said. “We showed a fake blitz, then we dropped back into coverage, and the quarterback threw it right to me.”

For his career as an athlete, Weil is being inducted into the MCHS Athletic Hall of Fame this year. Weil, Class of 2004, was a two-sport athlete in high school. He was a two-time state champion in wrestling and an all-state football player. 

“Football helped me become a better wrestler and wrestling helped me become a better football player,” Weil said.

He would end up with 2,500 yards rushing and 32 career touchdowns in football. Minooka would qualify for the playoffs both his junior and senior years.  They won conference his senior year. The win over Providence was their third playoff win that year, but they would lose to Carmel in the semifinals. 

As a junior, he won the state championship in wrestling at 215 pounds.  He repeated that feat as a senior. 

One of his favorite memories was “just being an unknown wrestler my junior year and having coaches like (Bernie) Ruettiger, (Paige) Schoolman, (Jeff) Charlebois, and my dad believing in me,” Weil said.

Being a great two-sport athlete was a challenge for him, but he loved both of the sports. He liked football more, and played linebacker and running back.  His talents took him to the University of Illinois. 

“It was difficult, but also rewarding. I was pushed to my limits, but I learned many skills and met a lot of great friends,” Weil said about playing at the University of Illinois.

Weil ended up having a great four years at Illinois where he played in the Rose Bowl as a senior.

“It was a great experience and a fun, exciting time,” Weil said about the Rose Bowl.  “We got to explore California and enjoy the festivities leading up to the game.”

After college, Weil bounced around a couple teams in the NFL on some practice quads. He said it was a great experience.

“It was easier than college because I didn’t have to go to classes,” he said. “I was able to only focus on football. We worked out, played football, and watched tape all day, every day. I met some great people.”

Weil will be recognized before the varsity football game on Sept. 27. Other Hall of Fame inductees who will be recognized then include Tom Clennon (athlete), Cyndi Kiper (athlete), Jenna Hall (athlete), Wayne Greenbeck (coach), Ron Lehman (special merit), and the 1962 baseball team.