2002 Hall of Fame Inductees

The 2002 Hall of Fame Inductees are:

• Ed True, 70, O'Fallon
• Identa Austin , 88, Yorkville
• Theodore "Double Duty" Radcliffe, 100, Chicago
• Dr. Carmen Joseph Carsello , 85, Chicago

Mr. True is an honoree in the Community Service Category. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bradley University and two master's degrees from the University of Southern California.

Working as an adjunct instructor for Southwest Illinois College and St. Louis Community College, he spends extra hours helping struggling students. He has volunteered for the YMCA, United Way, Junior Achievement, Boy Scouts and the Leukemia Society and Cancer Society. He has served on local and national boards for the Leukemia Society, Boy Scouts of America and Senior Olympics. He is past chairman on the Member Service Committee, St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association. He was a member of the O'Fallon District 90 Elementary Board for 17 years.

Mr. True currently serves as alderman on the O'Fallon City Council. He is also on the board of the O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce, Bradley University Alumni Association, St. Louis Sports Commission and the Southwest Division Chairman for the Illinois Association of School Boards. He is Southern Illinois Chairman for the Foreign Country Rotary Exchange High School Students to promote world understanding of different cultures. He has provided and arranged housing for crippled children from Belize during their stay to receive care at Shriner’s Hospital. He is active in "Program Pride" to beautify O'Fallon. Mr. True also competes in Illinois and Missouri Olympics.

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Ms. Austin has been an advocate for the needs of children, teachers, the sick and the elderly for over a quarter century. According to her nomination, "As we reminisce about the care and service this one person has given to the citizens of Kendall County, we feel somewhat awed, wondering how one person could have found the time and personal stamina to dedicate herself so abundantly to the service of others. Perhaps her longevity and good health is her reward for a life of selfless service."

Ms. Austin lead the fight to have a referendum placed on the ballot that provides a percentage of county taxes directed to senior services; the funding has been used to build a large senior center in Yorkville. She has participated in the Silver Haired Congress in Washington, D.C., and served twice as a Senior Citizen Intern in Washington, D.C. She is a recipient of the Governor's Award for Unique Achievement. She is a longtime active member of the Retired Teacher's Association, American Cancer Society, Yorkville Women's Club, AARP, Kendall County Senior Citizen's Council, Fox Valley Older Adult Services and more.

Ms. Austin also recently completed her 67th learning and traveling session as part of Elderhostel.

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The honoree in the Performance Category was a star in the Negro League, playing many championship teams as a pitcher and catcher for 38 years and a manager for 28 years. Mr. Radcliffe still gives motivational speeches to children in inner-city schools and has coached Little League games. He has raised funds for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago and America, Meals on Wheels, Little League, March of Dimes and other charities. According to his nomination, Mr. Radcliffe's "popular manner has propelled the Negro League into international popularity after being in obscurity." At the beginning of his career, he endured bigotry, long road trips and low wages to play baseball. He was colleagues with Satchell Paige and Jackie Robinson and played with Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Ted Williams, and Mickey Mantle. Writer Damon Runyan watched him catch in the first game and pitch the second, and said it was worth the admission of two, hence the nickname, "Double Duty."

Mr. Radcliffe has survived two strokes and other health problems. A WGN documentary about Radcliffe's life, narrated by Morgan Freeman, won an Emmy Award. He is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award given by the state of Illinois Historical Committee and was honored by Mayor Richard Daley as being an outstanding citizen of Chicago. He has been the guest of three U.S. Presidents at the White House and holds many sporting records.

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The honoree in the Education Category received his bachelor's degree from Central YMCA College in 1943, a master's degree from DePaul University in 1971 and a Gerontology certificate and a Guidance and Counseling Certificate from the University of Illinois in 1962. He holds a doctorate in Educational Psychology. Dr. Carsello taught at the University of Illinois from 1963 to 1985. He taught physical education in inner-city schools and swimming for the American Red Cross. He has served on the Near West Side Community Committee delinquency prevention program.

Dr. Carsello, who served two years in the military in the South Pacific, earned the World War II Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal. He has also received the Sheriff's Senior Medal of Honor Award and has been named in the Marquis Who's Who in the World.

Now retired from teaching, Carsello continues serving as a counselor and mentor to youth and is a strong advocate for senior citizens.

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For more information on the Senior Illinois Hall of Fame, contact the Illinois Department on Aging Senior HelpLine.