Alumni News

Jeff "Ponz" Ponczak – the DI loses a beloved alum

Posted by: Kit Donahue on 2008-06-19 12:45:03

Dear Daily Illini alums,

The Daily Illini lost one of our most beloved alums this past week – Jeff Ponczak, sports reporter and editor, 1987-91. Jeff, fondly known to all of us as "Ponz," died this past Saturday morning due to complications caused by a lifelong struggle with congenital heart disease.
There will be a memorial service this Saturday, June 21 at 1:00 pm at the Orland Chateau, 14500 S. Lagrange Road in Orland Park. Jeff's mother is calling the service a "celebration of Jeff's life" and the family would appreciate knowing if you plan to attend so they can get a more accurate headcount for food. Many of you may already have RSVPed to either the family, Jean Lachat or Michelle Latimer, but if you haven't and plan to attend, please let me know today (Thursday) and I will let the family know.

Jean Lachat, Michelle Latimer and Mary Cory, along with Ponz's family, have worked quickly this week to set up a memorial fund in Jeff's name. The Daily Illini will be starting an annual award, "The Jeff Ponczak Memorial Award" to be given annually to a member of the Daily Illini sports staff, not holding a board-appointed position, who has "contributed the most to teamwork, the spirit of friendship, and an unabashed love of sports and fun, as well as quality in reporting sports at the paper." Jeff exemplified all of these same qualities every day of his all-too-short life.

The recipient will receive a framed certificate and their name will be on an engraved plaque which will be on permanent display in the newsroom. They will also receive a cash gift distributed each year by Illini Media on behalf of Ponz. Donations to the memorial fund are tax-deductible and can be sent to:

Illini Media
Attention: Mary Cory, "Jeff Ponczak Memorial Fund"
512 East Green Street
Champaign, IL 61820

Here are links to a couple of articles that have run this past week in The Southtown Star:

Jeff Ponczak Obituary

Pat Disabato column

Ponz was a wonderful friend to so many of us. The outpouring of love that has occurred these past few days has reconnected many old friends and reminded all of us how lucky we were to have known such a great person. As Kris Sonnenberg so eloquently wrote, "I know we're not alone in the knowledge that we've lost one the greatest guys we'll ever have the privilege of calling 'friend.' His humor, talents, kindness and devotion to friends and family will not be forgotten."

With sadness,
Kit Donahue
Illini Media Alumni Club