On July 13, 2009, the Urbana University Athletic Department announced the induction of a key cog from that successful era into the University's Athletic Hall of Fame.
Former Blue Knight Donnie Gillespie ('98) will become the 32nd member of the University's Athletic Hall of Fame at an induction ceremony in the Sara Landess Room on campus on October 17th.

Dave Ross, a 1976 graduate of Urbana and current University Trustee and Hall of Fame Chairman, administered the nomination and selection process.

"Donnie was a key player at the conclusion of the most successful era in Blue Knight men's basketball history, an era that produced multiple Hall of Famers and 3 trips to the NAIA nationals," explained Ross. "As both a student-athlete and an adult, Donnie Gillespie has provided a positive reflection upon Urbana University." The Urbana University men's basketball team rose to national prominence on the shoulders of a Hall of Fame coach and a steady stream of standout student-athletes in the early-to-mid 1990s. Under the tutelage of Head Coach Bob Ronai, the Blue Knights strung together 9 straight winning seasons and appeared in the NAIA National Tournament 3 times in 6 years.

Gillespie becomes the 13th men's basketball player to enter the Hall. He joins 4 Blue Knights who played basketball in the 1990s for Coach Ronai. Gillespie will reunite with 2 of his former teammates, Jerry Ligon ('94) and J.J. White ('97), who are also enshrined.

"Donnie represents everything we want our student-athletes to strive to be," said Urbana University Athletic Director Doug Young. "We are honored to celebrate the achievements of this outstanding student-athlete."

Gillespie's career spanned from 1993-1998 at Urbana University. He is one of 20 former Blue Knights to eclipse 1,000 career points.

Gillespie currently sits at 13th on the all-time scoring list with 1,450 points. During Gillespie's junior season, the Blue Knights tied a school record for wins (26) and made it to the Sweet 16 in the NAIA National Tournament. Gillespie and White served as team captains, and both received All-American honors following their run in the national tournament. Gillespie was named an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American, 1st Team All-MidOhio Conference, and 1st Team All-District 22 after returning from a knee injury that sidelined him for the most of the 1995-96 season.

As a senior guard, Gillespie captained the Blue Knights and led the team in scoring, minutes, and 3-point shooting. He remains the school's all-time leader in 3-pt field goals, making an incredible 259 threes in his 4 seasons. The sharpshooter owns the career record for 3-pt. shooting percentage, making more than 41% of his shots from long range. Gillespie is also second in career games played (127) at Urbana University.

Majoring in Sports Medicine and Education at Urbana, Gillespie also served as a Student Athletic Trainer for the Blue Knights football team during the 1997 season.

Gillespie's career on the hardwood continues to this day. Currently, he is the head coach of the varsity boys' basketball team at Winton Woods High School in Cincinnati. Gillespie was inducted into Winton Woods' Hall of Fame in 2004 after a stellar prep career playing basketball, soccer and football for the Warriors. In his 5 seasons as the Warriors' head basketball coach, Gillespie owns a record of 61-46.

Ironically, Gillespie has even faced off against his former mentor, Coach Ronai, who currently coaches at Middletown High School. Gillespie's Warriors got the best of Ronai's squad in their last meeting two seasons ago.

"I have had the pleasure of watching Donnie grow as a teacher and coach, and for the past five years, as an opposing head coach," explained Coach Ronai. "Donnie Gillespie is a man of faith, high principles and outstanding character, and he demonstrates that daily to anyone that has contact with him."

The induction of Donnie Gillespie into the Urbana University Hall of Fame will take place following the Blue Knights' homecoming football game on Saturday, October 17th. The Blue Knights take on the Pumas from St. Joseph's College at noon. The induction ceremony is scheduled to begin about 30 minutes after the football game in the Urbana University Student Center.