Chris Aldridge

Chris Aldridge, the first woman to be honored by the Taylorville High School Sports Hall of Fame truly set the standard for those to come after her. In 1979-80, when she was a sophomore, Taylorville High School inaugurated its first inter-scholastic girls` basketball program. Chris immediately became a team standout, leading the squad to an 8-6 record while averaging 17 points per game. During her junior and senior years she led the team to two consecutive regional championships, averaging 20. 3 and 26.8 points per game She was awarded the Bronze Medal by the Wade Trophies Medal Club for scoring 1,333 points in her three year career. She set 13 individual season and career records and was honored as team MVP all three years she played. As a junior she was selected the Decatur Herald and Review "Area Player of the Year" and was selected to the Associate Press Special Mention All State Team.

As a member of the Lady Tornadoes Track Team, Chris was a sprinter. In 1982, she established the school record and the Capitol Area Honor Classic record in the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.9 seconds. A record broken only last year.

After being graduated from Taylorville High School, Aldridge received a full scholarship to attend Eastern Illinois University where she would play basketball. She earned four varsity letters at EIU and was selected to the Gateway All-Conference Team in 1985 and again in 1986. She led the Lady Panthers in scoring her junior year and during her senior year led the team in rebounding, field goals, and free throw percentage. During November, 1985, Aldridge was selected the Association of Mid-Continent Universities "Female Athlete of the Month.". In addition to finishing her career at Eastern fifth in career scoring and third in career rebounds, she was named to the GTE/COSIDA All- District Academic Team. Following her senior season, Aldridge was invited to the United States try-outs for the 1986 Pan American Games.

Following her graduation from Eastern Illinois University, Aldridge accepted a professional contract to play basketball for the Iowa Pride. As women's professional basketball changed in it infancy, Aldridge became a member of the St Louis River Queens. She played for the River Queens from 1993-1995, being named their captain all three years, and being selected to the Women's Basketball Association All. Star Teams in 1994 and 1995.