For Immediate Release – June 7, 2023
Three On College Football Hall Of Fame Ballot
Catan, Jurkovic and Petersen represent EIU on this year’s ballot
IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced this week the names on the 2024 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, including 78 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 101 players and 32 coaches from the divisional ranks.
Three of the players from the Divisional Ranks are former Eastern Illinois standouts from the 1970’s and 1980’s. Listed on this year’s ballot to be considered for College Football Hall of Fame Voting are Pete Catan, John Jurkovic, Ted Petersen. Former Eastern Illinois and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was inducted in December 2021 becoming the first EIU player and second Panthers representative in the College Football Hall of Fame. Romo joined former coach Darrell Mudra
Pete Catan was a two-time first team All-American selection at defensive end during both the 1979 and 1980 seasons. He was a member of the 1978 NCAA Division II National Championship team and finished his career in 1980 as the Panthers were the national runners-up in Division II. He held the school records for sacks in a game (6), season (21) and career (47). Following his playing days at EIU, Catan went on to star in both the Canadian Football League and USFL where he earned All-League honors for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL) and Houston Gamblers (USFL).
John Jurkovic was a two-time first team All-American at defensive end for Eastern Illinois in both 1988 and 1989. He twice was named the Gateway Conference Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in league history to accomplish that feat. He led the Panthers to the 1986 conference title and twice helped EIU advance to the NCAA I-AA playoff quarterfinal round. He set the conference record with six sacks in a game and finished his career as the league leader in career sacks (27). Following his playing days at EIU, Jurkovic went on to have a nine year career in the NFL earning second team All-League honors with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1996.
Ted Petersen was one of Eastern Illinois first All-American selections when he earned first team All-American honors in 1976 at center. During his EIU career he would serve as a team captain and helped block for Nate Anderson, the school’s first 1,000 year rusher. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1977 NFL Draft with the 93rd overall pick becoming the Panthers highest-ever draft pick at that time. Following his playing days at EIU, Petersen went on to play in the NFL for ten seasons including winning two Super Bowl Championships as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the late 1970s.
