Gartner, Thomas to be Inducted Into IU Athletics Hall of Fame

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana University Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Fred Glass announced that IU Athletics will welcome six new members to its Athletics Hall of Fame. The six individuals comprise the 38^th class, bringing the roster of inductees to 237.

Football's Chris Gartner (1970-82) and Donne Thomas (1972-75) will be joined by Eric Anderson (Men's Basketball (1989-92), Kay Burrus (Field Hockey Coach/Women's Basketball Coach, 1962-76), Jeff Overton (Men's Golf, 2002-05) and Rose Richmond (Women's Track and Field, 2000-03) will be officially inducted at the annual Hall of Fame dinner on Friday, Sept. 20, and will be recognized in the second quarter 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.

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.

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 11^th 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.

Gartner, Thomas to be Inducted Into IU Athletics Hall of Fame

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