The Antioch Sports Legends program, sponsored by the Antioch Historical Society, will kick off a weekend of festivities honoring Antioch's sports legends of the past, beginning with a halftime presentation of the Class of 2008 inductees at the Deer Valley vs. Antioch football game tonight at approximately 8:30 p.m. The varsity game begins at approximately 7:30 p.m. at the Deer Valley High School Stadium, 4700 Lone Tree Way in Antioch.

An autograph signing and meet-and-greet with the athletes will be held at the Sports Legends Hall, 1500 W. Fourth St., at 11 a.m. on the museum lawn. Following the autograph session, the public can tour the entire museum, and the 2,500-square-foot wing housing the Sports Legends Hall, until 4 p.m.

Antioch's Sports Legends all were prep athletes from Antioch who went on to professional or college athletic careers or national acclaim.

The Sports Legends Hall features memorabilia from current players such as San Diego Charger (and former 49er and Raider) Jeremy Newberry and St. Louis Cardinals' second baseman Aaron Miles; programs, cards and footballs signed by NFL Hall of Famers; uniforms of the past and present; and equipment used by Antioch prep stars who have gone on to illustrious athletic careers over the past six decades.

The beautifully refurbished hall features a 25-seat theater decorated with original movie-palace artifacts from Antioch's theaters of the early 20th century.

On Saturday night, Nov. 8, the Sports Legends will be honored at a sold-out induction dinner at the Lone Tree Golf and Event Center. The Class of 2008 inductees are football players Jesse Cone, John Olenchalk, Ron Sbranti and Bill Beasley (posthumous); swimmer Dennis Boyd; softball player Rachelle Manning; basketball player Sue Cottier; baseball players Greg Glod and Max Neal; track star Eddie Savage; golfer Wayne Sleppy; all-around athlete Gary Sheide; coach Edmund Babe Atkinson (posthumous); community leader Leo Fontana; and the 1966-67 Antioch High football team.