EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus Steve Porter, a 1973 graduate and longtime Illinois sportswriter, has been selected for induction into the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the university announced in Edwardsville. The induction ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, July 25, 2026, in Springfield.
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Porter, a veteran of print media, spent 45 years as a sportswriter for the Alton Telegraph. Over the course of his career, he covered athletes, teams and events that had a lasting impact on Illinois’ athletics community. Porter graduated from SIUE with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and is currently a member of the Alumni Board. He is the first SIUE mass communications graduate to be inducted into the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame and the second SIUE alumnus to receive the honor, following soccer Olympian Steve Trittschuch, who was enshrined last year.
“When I enrolled at SIUE in the summer of 1969, I wasn't certain what I wanted to do. But when I started in broadcasting and then gravitated toward journalism, I knew I found a worthwhile endeavor,” Porter said. “SIUE became a second home for me, and I'll be forever grateful for the instructors, fellow students, and experiences I gained on campus. Without SIUE, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It was a destination for me.”
Porter also has been inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame, the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Alton Athletics Hall of Fame, the Illinois Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame and the Alton City Golf Hall of Fame.
He remains involved with SIUE through advocacy for opportunities intended to enhance the student experience.
The Illinois Sports Hall of Fame describes itself as a state tribute established to honor and celebrate athletic excellence. The organization will officially induct its Class of 2026 at the July ceremony, recognizing Porter and other contributors, athletes and leaders who have shaped the state’s sports legacy.
