Aug. 12, 2005
Five former University of Iowa student-athletes and one coach will be inducted into the National Iowa Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday, Sept. 3rd.
Athletes Art Andrews (Tennis 1957, ’58, `59), Mike Reilly (Football 1961, ’62, ’63), Randy Ableman (Swimming/Diving 1979-82), Terry Brands (Wrestling 1989-1992), and Larry Station (Football 1982-85) are being inducted along with former Hawkeye field hockey coach Judith Davidson (1978-87).
The class will be inducted at the annual Varsity Club banquet and recognized at halftime of the Ball State football game, Sept. 3rd.
The induction banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Iowa Memorial Union second floor Ballroom. A social, beginning at 5:30 p.m, will be held in the Ballroom lobby. Tickets ($25) are available to the public and can only be purchased in advance by calling the Iowa Athletic Department at (319) 335-9247.
The six inductees were selected by a vote of all dues-paying members of the National Iowa Varsity Club. All former Hawkeye athletes who have won at least one major letter are eligible for the Hall of Fame. Athletes must have completed their eligibility at least ten years prior to selection. Coaches and administrators must have retired or left the university at least five years prior to selection.
Also being recognized during the weekend will be Honorary Letterwinner Samuel Becker, Letterwinner of the Year Warren “Bud” Lawson, Evan Hultman the Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and the Distinguished Service Award recipient Robert Hansen. The reunion teams include the women golf players of Diane Thomason and the 1985 Football Team.
The following are bios of this year’s inductees and award winners:
ARTHUR ANDREWS (Tennis 1957, ’58, `59): 1958 Big Ten Champion in both singles and doubles; 2nd team All-American 1957, ’58, ’59; Semi-finalist NCAA singles, 1957, ’58; Quarter-finalist NCAA singles, 1959; played #1 on Iowa’s only Big Ten Championship team, 1958; Ranked #12 doubles player in the U.S., 1956; Ranked #29 singles player in the U.S. 1959; U.S. Indoor Junior Men’s Doubles Champion, 1955; Undefeated in dual meets, 1957; Preliminary U.S. Davis Cup Team Member, 1956. Nile Kinnick Scholarship Recipient 1955-59 and graduated with highest distinction.
MIKE REILLY (Football 1961, ’62, ’63): 1st Team All-American, 1963; 1st Team All-Big Ten, 1963; Iowa MVP, 1963; Played in East-West Shrine Game and Hula Bowl, 1963; and Co-Captain – Chicago Tribune College All-Star Game, 1964. After Iowa he was selected in the 4th round of the NFL draft, spent five seasons with the Chicago Bears and a year with the Minnesota Vikings. Reilly played in the Super Bowl and retired in 1970.
RANDY ABLEMAN (Swimming/Diving 1978, ’81, `82): Member of 1980 U.S. Olympic Diving Team and the U.S. National Team 1978-1984 as platform diver, Big Ten Champion 1 meter diving, 1981; NCAA Champion 1 meter diving, 1981; All-American 1 meter diving, 1981, ’82; All-American 3 meter diving 1981- `82; Big Ten Champion 3 meter diving, 1982; Current NCAA & Big Ten Record holder in 3 meter diving (6 dives), Current Iowa Record Holder in 1 and 3 meter diving. Randy has had a successful career as a diving coach being named NCAA Diving Coach of the Year 9 times at the University of Miami and the Olympic coach in 1996 and 2000.
TERRY BRANDS (Wrestling 1989, ’90, ’91, `92): Career Record of 137-7 (.951); 3-Time Big Ten Champion, 1990, `91, ’92; 3-Time All-American 1990, `91, ’92; 2-Time NCAA Champion, 1990, ’92; Outstanding Wrestler at Big Ten Championship, 1992; Big Ten Outstanding Wrestler of the Year, 1992. After Iowa Terry was a World Team Member 1993-95, 1997, 1999 (57/58 kg); World Champion, 1993, `95 (57 kg); World Cup Champion, 1994, `95 (57 kg); 2-Time USA Senior Freestyle champion; Pan American Games Champion, 1995 (57 kg); and a Bronze Medalist 2000 Olympic Games (58 kg).
Larry Station (Football 1982, ’83, ’84, `85): Football News Freshman All-American selection, 1982; First Team All-Big Ten 1983, ’84, ’85; Second Team All-American, 1983; Consensus First Team All-American 1984, ’85; Academic All-American, 1984, ’85; Finalist for the 1985 Lombardi and Dick Butkus Awards (Finished 2nd), 1985; Hawkeye Football Captain, 1985; Co-winner of the Forest Evashevski Scholastic Achievement Award, 1985; ended his career as Iowa’s all-time leading tackler with 492 stops, 308 solos and 184 assists; Lettered in Track and Field (Discus),1983. Larry was drafted in the 11th round of the NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers 1986, was awarded the NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship Award 1987, and was named to the University of Iowa All-Time Football Team (linebacker), First Team Defense – 100 Years of Iowa Football, 1989.
JUDITH DAVIDSON (Field Hockey Coach 1978-87): Iowa Career Record, 192-50-16 (10 years); named Big Ten Coach of the Year 1983, `84, ’87; NCAA Runner-up, 1984; NCAA Indoor Champions, 1984; NCAA Outdoor Champions, 1986; NCAA Final Four – 3 times; NCAA Elite Eight – 3 times; advanced to NCAA post-season competition every year at Iowa, 7 time Big Ten Champions, coached 39 All-Americans and 48 All Big Ten players at Iowa; United States Field Hockey Association developmental camps coach 1978-81 (summers). Judith was also President of the United States Field Hockey Association, 1985-88; National Sports Festival coach, 1985; National Olympic Festival coach, 1986; and Chair, Division I, AIAW, National Field Hockey Sports Committee.
SAMUEL BECKER, HONORARY LETTERWINNER – A distinguished Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies at the University of Iowa, Becker earned his Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. from Iowa and has been on the faculty since 1955. He has authored eight books, supervised over 60 dissertations and written hundreds of articles in the communications and health fields. Becker has been a Faculty Representative to the Big Ten Athletic Conference and the NCAA.
EVAN L. HULTMAN, LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – This former Hawkeye Cross Country and Track runner is being recognized for a lifetime of outstanding service to his country, state, community, and the University of Iowa. After serving 3 years on active duty overseas during WWII and 39 years in the Army Reserves, Hultman retired a Major General. He represented the United States as a former International President of the Confederation Interallie des Officers de Reserve (COIR) (NATO Nations), and was awarded the 1994 U.S. Secretary of Defense Medal for Distinguished Service, which is the most prestigious honor bestowed on a citizen.
WARREN “BUD” LAWSON, LETTERWINNER OF THE YEAR AWARD – This award, presented in recognition of outstanding service and dedication to the Varsity Club, as a member of the Board of Directors and one year as President. Bud Lawson has been instrumental as a contributor, leader, and innovator as the National Iowa Varsity Club launched its World Wide Web site during his tenure.
ROBERT H. HANSEN, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD – Bob Hansen is being recognized for his years of service and dedication to the Varsity Club and the Athletic Department as a letter winner, board member, and volunteer. He has served as a Hall of Fame Ambassador, a member on the National Iowa Varsity Club Board of Directors, and 30 years as a volunteer track official for the Iowa Track & Field Program.