IU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Announced
6/24/2019 10:00:00 AM | Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Women's Basketball, Women's Track and Field
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana - Indiana University Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass announced today that IU Athletics will welcome six new members to its Athletics Hall of Fame. The six individuals comprise the 38th class, bringing the roster of inductees to 237.
Eric Anderson (Men's Basketball (1989-92), Kay Burrus (Field Hockey Coach/Women's Basketball Coach, 1962-76), Chris Gartner (Football, 1970-72), Jeff Overton (Men's Golf, 2002-05), Rose Richmond (Women's Track and Field, 2000-03) and Donnie Thomas (Football, 1972-75) will be officially inducted at the annual Hall of Fame dinner on Friday, Sept. 20, and will be recognized at halftime of the University of Connecticut football game at Memorial Stadium the following day.
"Each of these Hoosier legends made an indelible mark on Indiana University Athletics and their respective programs, and we are thrilled to welcome them into the IU Athletics Hall of Fame," said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass. "Indiana University has a rich history of success in all of its sports, which is evidenced by this class that represents six sports across five decades. These individuals separated themselves with elite contributions during their time at IU and are very deserving of inclusion in a body that represents the very best of IU and IU Athletics."
The IU Athletics Hall of Fame, established in 1982 by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in conjunction with the Varsity Club and the I-Association, recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the prestige of IU both on and off the field of competition.
Eric Anderson (Men's Basketball, 1989-92)
A member of two Big Ten Championship teams and the 1992 Final Four squad, Eric Anderson was one of the most prolific frontcourt players in IU basketball history. He is one of only four players in program history to score more than 1,700 points and pull down at least 800 rebounds, joining Alan Henderson, Kent Benson and Don Schlundt in accomplishing the feat. Anderson currently ranks 11th in program history in scoring (1,715 points), eighth in rebounds (825) and eighth in blocked shots (136), and IU went 101-31 (.765) during his four seasons with the program. He earned 1989 Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, was a first-team All-Big Ten choice in 1991, and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the West Regional during IU's 1992 Final Four run. After his IU career, he spent two seasons in the NBA the New York Knicks from 1992-94. Eric passed away last December at the age of 48.
Kay Burrus (Field Hockey Coach, 1962-74 and 1975-76; Women's Basketball Coach, 1963-67)
Known by many for her enormous contributions as a faculty member and administrator in IU's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation for nearly 40 years, Kay Burrus was one of the pioneers for women's intercollegiate athletics on campus and around the country. After coming to IU in 1962 and joining the Women's Physical Education program, she started the women's field hockey team and served as its coach from 1962-76. In addition to those responsibilities, she also served as the first basketball coach for the women's extramural team from 1963-67, which was the first IU-associated women's basketball team to travel and compete against teams from other universities. Kay passed away in June 2018 at the age of 80.
Chris Gartner (Football, 1970-72)
A native of Gothenburg, Sweden, Gartner was an All-Big Ten, All-America and record-setting kicker for the Hoosier football program during the early 1970s. He earned first-team All-America and first-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior in 1972 when he established new program records for single-season field goals (14), field goals in a game (four) and longest field goal (52). In a 35-34 win against Kentucky that season, he kicked both a 51 and 52-yard field goal, making him the only kicker in IU history with two 50+ yard field goals in a single game. A year earlier against the Wildcats he kicked four field goals in IU's 26-8 win at Memorial Stadium, a single-game record that still stands to this day. After departing IU Gartner enjoyed a brief stint in the NFL, playing in 11 games with the Cleveland Browns in 1974.
Jeff Overton (Men's Golf, 2002-05)
Jeff Overton is one of the most decorated and accomplished players in the history of IU Men's Golf. Overton was a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year (2004, 2005) and won medalist honors at the 2005 Big Ten Championships. A nine-time tournament winner during his collegiate career, Overton earned second-team All-America honors in both 2004 and 2005, and was a first-team All-Big Ten choice in 2002, 2004 and 2005. To date, he remains on top of the program's all-time list for both single-season scoring (69.97, 2005) and career scoring (71.72). In addition to his success with the IU program, Overton also represented the United States on both the Walker and Palmer Cup teams in 2005, where he helped the U.S. amateur teams to a pair of wins over their European counterparts. Overton joined the PGA Tour in 2006 and has enjoyed plenty of success; he was a member of the 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup team, has four runner-up finishes on the tour, and climbed as high as No. 47 in the world golf rankings in 2010.
Rose Richmond (Women's Track and Field, 2000-03)
Rose Richmond was a dominant force for the Hoosier track and field program throughout her career. Competing primarily in the horizontal jumps and sprint relay events, Richmond won seven Big Ten titles and earned five All-America awards. She was the NCAA Indoor runner-up in the long jump in 2003, and she remains the school record holder in both the indoor and outdoor long jump events as well as in the 4x100-meter relay. After leaving IU in 2003, Richmond went on to a great deal of success on the national and international levels. In 2004 she placed fourth at the U.S. Olympic Trials and earned a berth on the U.S. Olympic team. She also won U.S. National championships in the long jump during the indoor season in 2005 and the outdoor season in 2006, and in 2007 placed third at the U.S. Outdoor meet, earning her a spot on the U.S. World Championship team.
Donnie Thomas (Football, 1973-75)
Thomas starred for the Hoosier football team as a linebacker from 1973-75. A three-year letterman, Thomas was named first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-America in 1975 after leading the Hoosiers in tackles with 137. He also led the team in tackles in 1973 (98) and was named the team's Most Valuable Player in both 1974 and 1975. For his career, Thomas totaled a then-school record 369 tackles, a total that still ranks third in program history. After his IU career, Thomas was drafted in the 11th round of the NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, where he played three games before ending his football career. Thomas later returned to his hometown of Michigan City, Ind., where he enjoyed a long and successful teaching and coaching career before he passed away in 2017 at the age of 64.
For information about the Hall of Fame Dinner or to buy tickets to the Friday night event, contact IU Varsity Club Assistant Director Katie Bates at katbates@indiana.edu or 812.855.7402.
Eric Anderson (Men's Basketball (1989-92), Kay Burrus (Field Hockey Coach/Women's Basketball Coach, 1962-76), Chris Gartner (Football, 1970-72), Jeff Overton (Men's Golf, 2002-05), Rose Richmond (Women's Track and Field, 2000-03) and Donnie Thomas (Football, 1972-75) will be officially inducted at the annual Hall of Fame dinner on Friday, Sept. 20, and will be recognized at halftime of the University of Connecticut football game at Memorial Stadium the following day.
"Each of these Hoosier legends made an indelible mark on Indiana University Athletics and their respective programs, and we are thrilled to welcome them into the IU Athletics Hall of Fame," said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass. "Indiana University has a rich history of success in all of its sports, which is evidenced by this class that represents six sports across five decades. These individuals separated themselves with elite contributions during their time at IU and are very deserving of inclusion in a body that represents the very best of IU and IU Athletics."
The IU Athletics Hall of Fame, established in 1982 by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in conjunction with the Varsity Club and the I-Association, recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the prestige of IU both on and off the field of competition.
Eric Anderson (Men's Basketball, 1989-92)
A member of two Big Ten Championship teams and the 1992 Final Four squad, Eric Anderson was one of the most prolific frontcourt players in IU basketball history. He is one of only four players in program history to score more than 1,700 points and pull down at least 800 rebounds, joining Alan Henderson, Kent Benson and Don Schlundt in accomplishing the feat. Anderson currently ranks 11th in program history in scoring (1,715 points), eighth in rebounds (825) and eighth in blocked shots (136), and IU went 101-31 (.765) during his four seasons with the program. He earned 1989 Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, was a first-team All-Big Ten choice in 1991, and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the West Regional during IU's 1992 Final Four run. After his IU career, he spent two seasons in the NBA the New York Knicks from 1992-94. Eric passed away last December at the age of 48.
Kay Burrus (Field Hockey Coach, 1962-74 and 1975-76; Women's Basketball Coach, 1963-67)
Known by many for her enormous contributions as a faculty member and administrator in IU's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation for nearly 40 years, Kay Burrus was one of the pioneers for women's intercollegiate athletics on campus and around the country. After coming to IU in 1962 and joining the Women's Physical Education program, she started the women's field hockey team and served as its coach from 1962-76. In addition to those responsibilities, she also served as the first basketball coach for the women's extramural team from 1963-67, which was the first IU-associated women's basketball team to travel and compete against teams from other universities. Kay passed away in June 2018 at the age of 80.
Chris Gartner (Football, 1970-72)
A native of Gothenburg, Sweden, Gartner was an All-Big Ten, All-America and record-setting kicker for the Hoosier football program during the early 1970s. He earned first-team All-America and first-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior in 1972 when he established new program records for single-season field goals (14), field goals in a game (four) and longest field goal (52). In a 35-34 win against Kentucky that season, he kicked both a 51 and 52-yard field goal, making him the only kicker in IU history with two 50+ yard field goals in a single game. A year earlier against the Wildcats he kicked four field goals in IU's 26-8 win at Memorial Stadium, a single-game record that still stands to this day. After departing IU Gartner enjoyed a brief stint in the NFL, playing in 11 games with the Cleveland Browns in 1974.
Jeff Overton (Men's Golf, 2002-05)
Jeff Overton is one of the most decorated and accomplished players in the history of IU Men's Golf. Overton was a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year (2004, 2005) and won medalist honors at the 2005 Big Ten Championships. A nine-time tournament winner during his collegiate career, Overton earned second-team All-America honors in both 2004 and 2005, and was a first-team All-Big Ten choice in 2002, 2004 and 2005. To date, he remains on top of the program's all-time list for both single-season scoring (69.97, 2005) and career scoring (71.72). In addition to his success with the IU program, Overton also represented the United States on both the Walker and Palmer Cup teams in 2005, where he helped the U.S. amateur teams to a pair of wins over their European counterparts. Overton joined the PGA Tour in 2006 and has enjoyed plenty of success; he was a member of the 2010 U.S. Ryder Cup team, has four runner-up finishes on the tour, and climbed as high as No. 47 in the world golf rankings in 2010.
Rose Richmond (Women's Track and Field, 2000-03)
Rose Richmond was a dominant force for the Hoosier track and field program throughout her career. Competing primarily in the horizontal jumps and sprint relay events, Richmond won seven Big Ten titles and earned five All-America awards. She was the NCAA Indoor runner-up in the long jump in 2003, and she remains the school record holder in both the indoor and outdoor long jump events as well as in the 4x100-meter relay. After leaving IU in 2003, Richmond went on to a great deal of success on the national and international levels. In 2004 she placed fourth at the U.S. Olympic Trials and earned a berth on the U.S. Olympic team. She also won U.S. National championships in the long jump during the indoor season in 2005 and the outdoor season in 2006, and in 2007 placed third at the U.S. Outdoor meet, earning her a spot on the U.S. World Championship team.
Donnie Thomas (Football, 1973-75)
Thomas starred for the Hoosier football team as a linebacker from 1973-75. A three-year letterman, Thomas was named first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-America in 1975 after leading the Hoosiers in tackles with 137. He also led the team in tackles in 1973 (98) and was named the team's Most Valuable Player in both 1974 and 1975. For his career, Thomas totaled a then-school record 369 tackles, a total that still ranks third in program history. After his IU career, Thomas was drafted in the 11th round of the NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, where he played three games before ending his football career. Thomas later returned to his hometown of Michigan City, Ind., where he enjoyed a long and successful teaching and coaching career before he passed away in 2017 at the age of 64.
For information about the Hall of Fame Dinner or to buy tickets to the Friday night event, contact IU Varsity Club Assistant Director Katie Bates at katbates@indiana.edu or 812.855.7402.
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