Indiana University Athletics
IU Athletics Celebrates 2009 Hall of Fame Class
11/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Varsity Club
Nov. 6, 2009
Bloomington, Indiana - More than 800 were in attendance on Friday evening as the Indiana University Department of Athletics inducted new members to its 2009 Hall of Fame Class in Assembly Hall.
"Tonight will be our biggest crowd ever for this event, at around 800 people," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Fred Glass. Our largest before this was around 500 on a couple different occasions, so we are really, really pleased."
Headlining the group were legendary IU coaches Bob Knight and Jerry Yeagley--each the winningest NCAA coaches in their respective sports. Knight (men's basketball, 1971-2000), who won three national championships, and Yeagley (men's soccer, 1973-2003), who captured six NCAA titles, were among seven IU greats inducted at the ceremony.
Knight and Yeagley joined former Hoosier standouts Steve Downing (men's basketball, 1970-73), Katrin Koch (women's track and field, 1989-92), Joe Norman (football, 1975-78), the late Mike Rabold (football, 1956-58), and Alan Somers (swimming, 1961-63) as honorees. The class will also be recognized at halftime of the football game against Wisconsin at Memorial Stadium, tomorrow.
Coach Knight was represented by 2008 IU Athletics Hall of Famer Bob Hammel and Rabold was honored by his brother John.
"I'm excited for this class because it's the first class since I've been the A.D., so I feel a little ownership with that," added Glass. "I didn't want to be part of an induction process that didn't involve coach Knight because I felt he belonged in the hall of fame. So I take a particular amount of satisfaction in that and then when you bookend that with Jerry Yeagley, you have the winningest coach in NCAA men's basketball history and the winningest coach in NCAA soccer history. And you also have Joe Norman (football) along with Mike Rabold (football), Steve Downing (men's basketball), Katrin Koch (track) and Alan Somers (swimming) so it has all the makings of a terrific class."
The Hall of Fame was established in 1982 by the Indiana University Varsity Club National Board of Directors, in cooperation with Indiana University, its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, the I Association, and the Indiana University Alumni Association. Its purpose is to recognize and honor individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the achievements and prestige of Indiana University in the field of athletics and who have demonstrated the values imparted by intercollegiate athletics. Each year, a subcommittee of the Indiana University Varsity Club National Board of Directors selects inductees for the Hall of Fame. This year's class brings the current roster of IU Hall of Fame inductees to 164.
2009 INDUCTEES
Steve Downing, Men's Basketball
Won three basketball letters from 1971-73. Named Indiana and Big Ten Most Valuable Player in 1973 after leading the Hoosiers to the Final Four of the NCAA championship. First team All-Big Ten in 1973 after averaging 20.1 points and 10.6 rebounds. Averaged 15.1 rebounds in 1972, second best mark in IU history for season; ranks fifth in career rebounds with 889. Played professional basketball for two years with the Boston Celtics. Served as IU Associate Athletic Director for 20 years.
Bob Knight, Men's Basketball
Indiana basketball coach from 1971-2000 with a career record of 662-239 at IU. Coached teams that won 11 Big Ten Championships, a Big Ten record, and NCAA championships in 1976, 1981, and 1987. Only coach in history to lead teams to NCAA (1976, 1981, and 1987), NIT (1979), Pan American (1979) and Olympic (1984) championships. Last coach to have perfect winning season (32-0 in 1976). Coached 16 All-Americans; had nine players win Big Ten MVP honors; and had 29 players who played in the NBA. Big Ten Coach-of-the-Year six times and National Coach-of-the-Year in 1975, 1976, 1987, and 1989. Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. He is the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history with a 902-371 record (70.8), which was compiled at Army, IU and Texas Tech. After playing at Orrville (Ohio) High School, he played at Ohio State under Hall of Fame Coach Fred Taylor and was a member of the Buckeyes 1960 national championship team.
Katrin Koch, Women's Track and Field
Won track letters in 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992. Won Big Ten Medal in 1992; Big Ten indoor shot put title in 1992; Big Ten outdoor shot put titles in 1991 and 1992; and Big Ten discus titles in 1991 and 1992. NCAA champion in the shot put outdoors in 1992; three-time All-American indoors in the shot put; four-time All-American outdoors in the shot put and once in the discus. Still owns the IU discus record. Set Big Ten shot put records both indoors and outdoors and in the discus. Served as Indiana's Assistant Director of Strength and Training (1993-98) and Head Strength Coordinator (1998-04).
Joe Norman, Football
Won football letters in 1975-78 and was co-captain in both 1977 and 1978. Linebacker who was IU Most Valuable Player in 1977 and 1978. All-Big Ten in 1978. Second team All-American by NEA in 1978. Played in 1978 Hula Bowl and the 1978 Japan Bowl where he was named Defensive MVP. Later went on to play professionally with the Seattle Seahawks.
Mike Rabold, Football
Won football letters in 1956, 1957, and 1958 and was captain in 1958. Was IU's Most Valuable Player as a guard in '58, and the runner-up for the Chicago Tribune Big Ten Most Valuable Player award. Won IU's Balfour Award in 1958. Third team All-American by Central Press in '58. Played in 1958 Blue-Gray game, the Senior Bowl and the College All-Star game. Played in the NFL for 9 years and was a member of the 1963 Chicago Bears' championship team. Inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1977, and was one of the founders of the Indiana Football High School All-Star game.
Alan Somers, Men's Swimming
Won swimming letters in 1961-1963 and was captain in 1963. Won five Big Ten championships in the 440-yard, 1500-meter, and 1650-yard freestyles. Competed in 1960 Olympics in the 400-meter freestyle (placing 5th) and 1500-meter freestyle (placing 7th). Won 4 AAU championships in freestyle events. Owned American record in 400-meter freestyle for three years.
Jerry Yeagley, Men's Soccer
Soccer coach from 1973-2004. Won 6 national championships and led teams to the College Cup 16 times, 12 times advancing to championship game. Won 10 regular season Big Ten championships and 10 Big Ten tournament championships. Had overall record of 544-101-45 to become all-time NCAA leader in victories. Big Ten Coach of the Year 8 times, NSCAA National Coach of the Year 6 times. 1989 Inductee into the United States Soccer Federation Hall of Fame. The playing surface at Armstrong Stadium was named for him in 2004. In 2008, voted the NCAA Division 1 Men's Soccer 50th Anniversary team coach.
