5 Super Athletes With Ties To Rockford

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Rockford area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

Alexe Gilles (Figure Skating)

Rockford-born figure skater Alexe Gilles made her mark in the sport by winning the 2008 U.S. Junior National Championship and a bronze medal at the Junior Grand Prix Final. Competing on both the junior and senior Grand Prix circuits, she later represented Canada at the national level. Gilles trained with top coaches and eventually transitioned to performing in Disney on Ice, bringing her skating talents to audiences worldwide.

Chad Knaus (Motor Racing)

Chad Knaus, a legendary NASCAR crew chief from Rockford, is best known for his historic run with Jimmie Johnson, guiding him to seven championships—including an unprecedented five consecutive titles. With 81 career wins as a crew chief, Knaus is widely regarded as one of the greatest minds in NASCAR history. He now serves as Vice President of Competition for Hendrick Motorsports and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2024.

Fred VanVleet (Basketball)

Fred VanVleet, a Rockford native, rose from an under-the-radar high school player to an NBA champion and All-Star. After leading Wichita State to a Final Four and an undefeated regular season, he went undrafted in 2016 but signed with the Toronto Raptors, where he became a franchise cornerstone. He played a crucial role in the Raptors' 2019 NBA Championship and set franchise records for points (54) and assists (20) in a single game. Now a member of the Houston Rockets, VanVleet continues to excel as one of the league’s top point guards.

James Robinson (Football)

James Robinson, a record-breaking running back from Rockford, made history with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, when he setg the league record for most scrimmage yards by an undrafted rookie. A standout at Rockford Lutheran High School and Illinois State University, Robinson dominated at every level, earning All-American honors and setting Illinois high school records for rushing yards and touchdowns. He later played for the New York Jets and continues his professional career.

Stephanie Raymond (Basketball)

Rockford basketball star Stephanie Raymond became the first Northern Illinois University (NIU) player drafted into the WNBA, selected by the Chicago Sky in 2007. During her NIU career, she scored 1,719 points (sixth in school history) and set records in assists and steals. A two-time All-MAC selection, she helped lead NIU to the 2007 MAC Tournament Semifinals. Raymond later played professionally overseas.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.