Alums elected into the UIndy Athletic Hall of Fame
By Kim Puckett
STAFF WRITER
Breaking the University of Indianapolis three-mile record, holding the cross country team record for four years and winning the Indianapolis 500 Festival Marathon five times qualified 1973 graduate Gary Romesser for the UIndy Athletic Hall of Fame.
Thirty-five years after graduating from what was then Indiana Central College, Romesser was recognized for his accomplishments on and off the course in the Jan. 26 induction ceremony. In his acceptance speech, Romesser cited his coaches from high school and college, Tom Hathaway, Bill Bright, Bill Bless and Gerry England, as contributors to his success.
In 1973, Romesser received the Cross Country Kelso Reid Mental Attitude Award, as the co-captain of his team, and placed first in the All-Collegiate Conference the same year. He also was named the most valuable runner of the cross country team in 1970, 1971 and 1972.
Romesser’s college career was not without challenges. He was placed on academic probation for the second semester of his sophomore year and lost his scholarship. He got a full-time job and went to class at night, worked to get his grades up and continued to stay in running condition. He said his teammates influenced him positively during his struggle.
“My teammates stayed close to me, encouraging me and checking up on my progress. They were always there for a run and for encouragement when I got down,” Romesser said.
At the age of 50, Romesser participated in The World Veteran Games in Brisbane, Australia, his first international competition.
Running against one of his role-models, Rod Dixon from New Zealand, Romesser received two gold and two silver medals at the competition. Romesser said the experience was his “ultimate dream realized.”
“When I was at ICC (Indiana Central College), I remember going to Coach Bright’s office and telling him I wanted to be in the Olympics—the youth dream of so many. This international competition was like my long-ago dream to be an Olympian,” Romesser said.
Today, Romesser works for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management as a field inspector, where he has been employed for 20 years.
He also coaches Indianapolis Mini Marathon, middle school and high school teams and develops individual performance training programs.
“As I grew out of my experiences and opportunities at ICC, I have tried to guide others through my passion, knowledge, experience and maturity,” Romesser said.
In the future, Romesser hopes to write a book, develop a running camp and maybe join the Peace Corps. Most of all, he said he wants to spend time with his family, which includes his two sons Adam and Nick and his five-year-old grandson Channing.
Matt Donovan, associate director of athletics, said many athletes view induction into the UIndy Athletic Hall of Fame as a “culmination of great years spent recognized by the institution.” He also said Romesser was a worthy candidate for the hall of fame.
“He was a tremendous athlete when he was here and had a great career after he graduated,” Donovan said.
The hall of fame has inducted 79 individuals and 12 teams since its establishment in 1986.
According to Donovan, the UIndy Hall of Fame Committee meets four times per year to recommend candidates for induction. Material on each nominee is presented to the committee, and then the members vote to determine who will be inducted.
“First, the candidate must be in good standing with the university and have completed a degree.
Secondly, he or she must have success in athletics. Third, the candidate must have success outside the university,” Donovan said.
The committee decided Romesser met all of these criteria, after being nominated by his coach, Tom Hathaway.
Romesser said he wants to continue to represent the university as a member of the University of Indianapolis Athletic Hall of Fame.
Also inducted into the UIndy Athletic Hall of Fame on Jan. 26 (according to the UIndy Web site) were Hank Easter, 1961; Bill Tutterow, 1986; Paul Velez, 1956 and the 1992-93 Girls’ Swim Team.
