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Teammates are Forever
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Families, friends gather to celebrate more than locker room renovation
The late Bob Baylor ’70, Jim Hammond ’79 and Joe Brunk ’82 have been immortalized through a unique, lasting creation that will enhance on- and off-court experiences for current and future members of Hanover’s men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball programs. The Bob ’70 and Beth Baylor Locker Room Suite and the Hammond-Brunk Men’s Basketball Locker Room have been established to meet the needs of today’s student-athletes in an increasingly competitive recruiting environment. The facilities, located on the first floor of the Horner Health and Recreation Center, were envisioned, designed and furnished during an 18-month, COVID-19-delayed fundraising and production effort. Baylor, a member of Hanover’s dominant basketball teams in the late 1960s, passed away Oct. 25, 2015, after a lengthy battle with ALS. In 2017, cancer claimed the lives of both Hammond (Jan. 7) and Brunk (April 15). Hammond was a team most valuable player as a senior and scored 1,203 career points. Brunk was a two-time all-American and three-time Hoosier-Buckeye Conference most valuable player. Beth Baylor, Polly Sallee Hammond ’78 and Helen Brunk, widows of the namesake athletes, were joined by their children, extended families and friends Sept. 24 in the Horner Center to celebrate the project. Through a mixture of laughter, tears and heart-felt appreciation, the Hanoverians, families and former teammates shared memories of their loved ones and days on campus, toured the renovated facilities and rejoiced in the culmination of their efforts. Eric Ballenger ’81, who watched Baylor play as a child from the front row in Lynn Hall and was later a teammate of both Hammond and Brunk, spoke during the emotion-filled ceremony. As he reminisced about his connections to the former Panthers, he stated, “I had great heroes. I had a great mentor. I had a great friend. If you are lucky enough to have those three, you are set.” The Baylor suite is dissimilar from the locker rooms in Woods Gymnasium, Lynn Hall or Long Gymnasium. While paying homage to past teams and traditions, the reconfigured facilities now sport comfortable and functional accommodations, featuring high-tech study and social spaces, and modernized locker rooms. Team members have access to vibrant lounge areas with sofas, chairs, tables, Bluetooth stereo connectivity, video projection systems and wide-screen televisions with broadcast and streaming video capabilities. The locker rooms include individual cubicle-style seating and storage areas with multiple USB ports and outlets, digital security and separate restroom and shower facilities. “Locker rooms are special places for teammates. Your generosity has created a tremendous space for our teams to really be together,” said Jon Miller ’97, men’s basketball coach. “You all have helped to create a place that past players, current players and future players will take a lot of pride in, and the quality of the space also really speaks to the rich history of Hanover’s basketball program.”
YOUR LEGACY SECURES OUR FUTURE
A strong endowment creates the solid foundation to make the Hanover experience possible for future generations. Endowed funds provide essential financial support for all aspects of the College, especially its students, faculty, academic programs and career-centered endeavors. In recent months, Hanover’s endowment has received generous support, including these new legacy commitments:
Carol Hickman Avril '56 and Ferdinand R. Avril '54 Endowment for Environmental Studies Established by Ferdinand R. Avril ’54 in honor of his late wife, Carol Hickman Avril ’56, the fund supports internships for students who major or minor in environmental sciences.
Lou ’51 and Pg ’50 Barnard Memorial Endowed Scholarship Established by Leesa Jan Barnard Kent in tribute to Louis Fort Barnard ’51 and Phyllis Ann Garriott Barnard ’50, this fund will provide scholarships to students with financial need who declare a major in health and movement studies or elementary/secondary education.
Amanda and Jay Black Endowed Fund for Internship Stipends Established by Amanda Arnsperger Black ’00 and Jay Black ’00, this fund will provide stipends for student living expenses during internships through the Levett Career Center.
Connolly Health Sciences Program Endowed Fund Established by Darleen E. and John C. Connolly, the fund will underwrite expenses associated with practice tests required for any medical field supported by Hanover’s curriculum.
Employee Endowed Fund for Professional Development Established by the 2021-22 Employee Campaign Committee through gifts from current employees, the fund will support professional development opportunities for employees.
50-Year Reunion Endowed Scholarship Fund Established by the classes of 1970 and 1971, this scholarship will be awarded to students who demonstrate financial need with preference given to second-year students.
Gene Howenstine Gard ’67 Endowed Scholarship Fund Established by “Genie” Howenstine Gard ’67, this fund supports scholarships for students with a preference for graduates of public high schools in Gibson, Vanderburgh, Posey and Warrick counties in Indiana.
Mae Jennings Huttsell ’43 Endowed Scholarship Fund Established by Barbara H. Morris and Clay B. Morris ’65 in memory of Barbara’s mother, the fund will support scholarships to deserving students with a preference for first-generation students from Jefferson and Scott counties in Indiana.
Dr. Robert “Papa” Keller Endowed Scholarship Fund Created by members of the Witte and Keller families in honor of the late Robert Keller, Ph.D., professor of sociology, the scholarship will be awarded to students who demonstrate financial need with preference given to students majoring in sociology.
Mildred Lemen Endowed Fund for Women’s Athletics Established by Mildred Lemen ’52, this fund will support women’s athletics through stipends, room, board and professional development with a preference for female coaching interns.
Andy J. McCanna, M.D. ’97 Memorial Endowed Scholarship Established by Dr. Andrew McCanna’s friends, classmates and family, this scholarship will support students in the Summer Research Fellows Program with a preference for those majoring in biochemistry or chemistry.
Dr. Sara Palecek Ross ’97 Scholarship Established by Dr. Sara Palecek Ross ’97, the scholarship will be awarded to students with an interest in the sciences, a minimum grade-point average of 2.75 and demonstrated financial need.
Terri Von Pein Rugg ’77 Endowed Scholarship Fund Established by Vicki ’77 and Greg Snarr in memory of Vicki’s twin sister, Terri, the fund provides scholarships to students with demonstrated financial need who have declared or plan to declare a major in art, history, computer science or a science field.
Robert G. Trimble, Ph.D., Endowed Scholarship Fund Established by Ruth Schalk Shearer ’70 and Richard Shearer ’70 in honor of Bob Trimble, professor emeritus of Spanish, the scholarship will be awarded to students who demonstrate financial need with preference given to those majoring in Spanish.
Scott B. ’77 and Pam Whipker Pearson Endowed Football Program Fund Established by Scott B. Pearson ’77 and Pam Whipker Pearson, the fund will provide operating support for the football program.
The James W. Yates Endowed Scholarship Fund Established to honor the late James W. Yates ’09, the scholarship will be awarded to students who pursue a major within the arts or humanities with a preference for those who major or minor in philosophy and maintain a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
