Find an Inductee

Ronald “Ron” Fields, Nappanee High School (1955) Ron Fields was an outstanding athlete in three sports at Nappanee High School. Having moved to Nappanee for the last two years of high school, he was a two-year letterman in football, track and baseball. He was named track MVP in 1955, a state qualifier in the pole […]

Michelle (Erickson) Hayes, Northridge High School (1984) Michelle proved to be an outstanding athlete at Northridge High School, lettering in volleyball, basketball, softball and golf. As a four-year letter winner in volleyball she helped N.H.S. to a Sectional Championship in 1982 and was named MVP in 1982,1983 and 1984. In basketball Michelle lettered four years […]

Robert A. “Bob” Cappelletti, Elkhart High School (1951) Bob was an outstanding athlete, being a three-time letter winner in each of three sports at Elkhart High. He was named team MVP in basketball in 1950 and was named to the All-League Team of the East Division of the Northern Indiana Conference. In 1951 he was […]

KEN WILLEMS, Northridge High School (Coach) Ken W. served as head coach as the Northridge cross‑country program developed into a state power. Ken served as coach of girls and boys cross-country. Girls’ record 136-11; boys’ 80-56. Girls won 8 consecutive NLC Titles, 7 consecutive Sectionals, 5 consecutive Semi-states, and 6 consecutive appearances at the State […]

KENNETH VONGUNTEN, Northridge High School (Coach) Ken V. served as “co-coach” (with Ken Willems) as the Northridge cross-country program developed into a state power. Ken served as coach of both girls and boys cross-country; girls’ record 136-11; boys 80-56. The Northridge girls won 8 consecutive NLC Titles, 7 consecutive Sectionals, 5 consecutive Semi-states, and 6 […]

REGINA (ERB) VOGELZANG, Fairfield High School (1981) Regina is considered to be one of the “strong early female athletes at Fairfield.” She was a triple threat at Fairfield HS, starring in volleyball, basketball, and track. In 1981, she was named team MVP and All-Conference in all three sports as well as FHS Female Athlete of […]

JOHN DAVID “DAVE” UMMEL, Wakarusa High School (1951) Dave’s senior basketball year was one for the record books. His 55 points against Millersburg, including 21 in the fourth quarter, was the high for the state that year and he became the first Elkhart County player to score more than 400 points for the season and […]

Charles “Chuck” Umbarger, Elkhart High School (1960) In his era, Charles was the premier distance runner in Indiana earning 6 letters at Elkhart HS in track and cross-country. He won the mile run competition at NIC (3 years), Sectional (3 years), Regional, and State meets, and set mile run records more than once. He also […]

Charles “Chuck” Stille, New Paris High School (1962) Chuck was a three-sport star at New Paris HS, where he earned 11 varsity letters. Coach Hettler calls Chuck, “a fierce competitor with a lot of talent.” As a MVP senior in basketball he scored 17.5 points per game, his third year on the varsity. He won […]

Thomas “Tom” Saunders, Elkhart High School (1943) A two-sport standout at Elkhart HS, Tom earned a total of 6 varsity letters in basketball and football. In the regional tournament at a time when South Bend Central was #1 in the state (basketball), EHS beat Central as Tom scored 17 points in the third quarter. In […]