Two integral figures in the life of athletics on campus are the inaugural inductees into the Indiana University Northwest Athletics Hall of Fame.
Linda Anderson, one of the founders of athletics at IU Northwest and the University’s first athletics director, and Charles (Chuck) Gallmeier, Ph.D., will be inducted into the Hall of Fame’s first-ever class at the 2014 Spring Athletics Banquet on Thursday, April 24, at Radisson Hotel in Merrillville, Ind.
“We are proud to honor Linda and Chuck as the Hall of Fame’s inaugural inductees,” IU Northwest Director of Athletics Kris Schnatz said. “Both have been integral to the success and the growth of our program. Their leadership and support have set the foundation for the future of RedHawk athletics.”
Anderson came to IU Northwest in 1986 and served as Director of Student Activities before taking on the role of Director of Athletics, helping to bring intercollegiate athletics to the University for the first time. The program became a member of the NAIA under Anderson’s leadership. Anderson also played a role in the planning and construction of Savannah Center, the current home of RedHawk athletics.
“I have many fond remembrances of my time at IUN, and many friends from that time who are still dear to me: staff, coaches, faculty and players,” Anderson said. “It takes a special kind of person to do what is required to be a student athlete and I have a great deal of respect for students who can manage to juggle studies, home and athletics. I saw my role as to facilitate the dreams of the students.”
Gallmeier, Chancellor’s Professor of Sociology at IU Northwest, is a longtime advocate of IU Northwest athletics and is entering his 10th year as IU Northwest’s Faculty Athletics Representative and has served six of those years on the Council of Faculty Athletic Representatives for the NAIA. Affectionately known as the “Voice of the RedHawks,” Gallmeier has been announcing the men's home games for over a decade and often announces the women’s games as well. He is credited with naming IU Northwest's gymnasium “The Roost.”
“It is a real honor to be inducted into the RedHawks Hall of Fame, especially in the same class as Linda Anderson,” Gallmeier said. “Linda encouraged me to announce the basketball games and recruited me to serve as the Faculty Athletic Representative. So I feel like I am in very good company.
“Our RedHawks athletic program plays such a vital role in making IU Northwest feel less like a commuter campus and more like a community, or even a family. I am very proud to be a member of such a fine family.”
The IU Northwest athletics program is in the process of expanding from three to at least six teams, beginning with men’s and women’s cross country in the 2014-15 academic year.
“We are extremely excited about the future of athletics at IU Northwest,” Schnatz said. “These are exciting times, and honoring this Hall of Fame class is but one way to celebrate the vitality of the athletics program.”