CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Former Illini football student-athlete Tim McCarthy has been selected as the second recipient of the Spirit of the Illini Award. This prestigious honor was created by the University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics one year ago to honor with the following criteria:

  • An individual who has exemplified character
  • Has made significant contributions to the Fighting Illini FamILLy
  • Has helped unify the community with excellence and honor.

McCarthy will be honored during Homecoming weekend and will join the Marching Illini at halftime in its performance of the alma mater.

“As part of our Homecoming festivities, we are excited to continue the Spirit of the Illini Award, introduced for the first time last season,” said Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman. “This year’s recipient is Tim McCarthy, who has left an incredible legacy for his alma mater, the Illinois football program, and our nation through his unwavering commitment, loyalty and sacrifice. He embodies everything it means to be a Fighting Illini, and we are proud to celebrate him with this special honor.”

McCarthy was a four-year member of the Illini football team. After his football career at Illinois, McCarthy applied for a job with the Secret Service and the FBI. He later became a Secret Service agent and an American hero by taking a bullet for President Ronald Reagan.

He spent seven years in the Chicago field office, then moved to Washington, D.C. He was tasked with protecting the President, which was Jimmy Carter at the time, then Reagan. On March 30, 1981, McCarthy was working at Washington Hilton Hotel for the president’s noon address. After the address finished, McCarthy and the rest of the protection unit surrounded the President and walked him towards the armored car. Right before the President got inside, six shots were fired. McCarthy, President Reagan, Press Secretary Jim Brady and D.C. police officer Tom Delahanty were all shot.

McCarthy was hit in the chest and spent 10 days in the hospital. He attributed his instinct to cover the President as a result of training.

In 2022, the Illinois football program announced the creation of the Tim McCarthy Scholarship. An Illini walk-on is awarded the scholarship in McCarthy’s name each spring.

The selection of the Spirit of the Illini award is a partnership between the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, the University of Illinois Alumni Association and the Marching Illini. Last year’s winner was Mary Henson.