Mike Hebert: My letter to the Illini

Sherry and Mike Hebert

He put Illinois volleyball on the map, leading the program to two Final Fours and four Big Ten championships. Today, 74-year-old Mike Hebert cheers the Illini on from his home in San Diego, where he is surrounded by family in his battle with Parkinson's disease. Unable to make the trip back to campus for this weekend's Sweet 16, Hebert put his message to Chris Tamas' team on paper for News-Gazette Media to share:

Dear 2018 Fighting Illini Volleyball Team,

I retired from coaching volleyball eight years ago.

I have followed your accomplishments throughout those years. One thing has remained constant: the pride that radiates in and around each of you, the entire team and the…