McLean County Times

Akil Mills, a former Illinois State University track and field athlete, will be inducted into the Illinois State Athletics Percy Family Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class. Mills, who is a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Champion and three-time NCAA All-American, holds the second-farthest weight throw and hammer throw records in ISU history.

Mills described receiving the news from Illinois State Athletics Director Dr. Jeri Beggs as unexpected. "No," Mills remembers her saying. "I just wanted to welcome you into the Percy Family Hall of Fame." He shared the news with his wife Sammi, whom he met through ISU’s track & field team, and with his family in Georgia. "It was a very emotional call," said Mills. "With the challenges that I went through in high school and being underdeveloped, they were really proud of this moment."

Mills' journey to collegiate athletics was marked by obstacles. He began throwing shot put in high school after being introduced to it by a friend, Nabil Muburak. Initially inexperienced, Mills gradually improved but faced skepticism from college coaches due to his late start in the sport.

He also encountered academic challenges stemming from a learning disability and struggled with standardized testing, taking the ACT six times before qualifying for college athletics. "At that point, I felt overlooked — not just by schools but by the system itself," Mills said. "That's really where the chip on my shoulder came from. I wanted to prove that I belonged, that I could take every 'no' and turn it into a reason to work harder."

Former Illinois State throws coach Erik Whitsitt offered him an opportunity at ISU, which Mills credits as pivotal in his athletic development. Reflecting on his struggles with standardized tests, Mills said: "Looking back, I think having to take the ACT six times was a blessing in disguise... It sort of laid the foundation for how I approached everything in my life."

Under coach Scott Bennett at ISU, Mills became more disciplined and strategic about his training and competition. He developed close relationships with teammates who he says were instrumental during challenging times.

Several former teammates plan to attend his Hall of Fame induction ceremony on October 18 in Normal, Illinois.

After graduating from ISU in 2014, Mills worked over seven years in law enforcement roles in Georgia before moving into corporate investigations and later becoming a Senior Privacy Consultant focused on data protection and compliance.

"I still approach every organizational situation like I'm in competition," he said. "I study tape — just like I used to — only now it's data, risk and behavior patterns. The goal's the same: stay disciplined, stay prepared and perform when it matters most."

Mills also noted upcoming changes in his personal life as he prepares for fatherhood: "I think my priorities are somewhat shifting for the better, and that perspective makes this Hall of Fame moment even more meaningful," said Mills. "It's not just about what I did at Illinois State, but it's about the values I get to pass down, whether it be discipline, perseverance or the belief that you don't need a perfect path to achieve success."