Lee Sentman

Lee Sentman Jr., one of Illinois' greatest all-time track and field performers, was born today in 1910. A letter winner in 1929, '30 and '31, he was a graduate of Decatur High School. Sentman's time of 7.4 seconds in the indoor 60-yard high hurdles in 1931 was the fastest time recorded by a UI track athlete. It wasn't until 1954 that Willard Thompson became the second Illini to run a 7.4. At one period, Sentman held world records in every high hurdles event from 60 through 75 yards. The 1930 Illini team finished third in the NCAA Outdoor Championships. That same year, Sentman was awarded the Big Ten Conference Medal of Honor for achievement in academics and athletics. He graduated from the UI in 1931 with a degree in civil engineering and had an outstanding career as a construction executive in Champaign-Urbana. During World War II, Sentman served as executive officer to the chief of construction at Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower's headquarters. One of Sentman's four sons, Lee Sentman III, also became an Illini athlete, lettering in fencing during the late 1950s. The Sentmans are one of the few father-son combinations to win the Big Ten Medal. Lee Sentman Jr. died April 5, 1996, at the age of 86.

Illini birthdays

Today: Josh Gold, baseball (31)

Monday: Mel Romani, football (70)

Tuesday: Chuck Boerio, football (80)

Wednesday: Bo Batchelder, football (65)

Thursday: Justin Spring, gymnastics (26)

Friday: Brooks Taylor, basketball (39)

Saturday: Bob Lenzini, football (78)

Next Sunday: Joe Giallombardo

By Mike Pearson, author of Illini Legends, Lists & Lore and assistant athletic director at Miami (Ohio)