On Monday, June 2, Indiana University Northwest’s RedHawks Athletic Program hosted its second annual RedHawk Golf Classic at Innsbrook Country Club in Merrillville. This event raises funds that will provide RedHawk student-athletes with scholarships. IU Northwest faculty, staff, alumni, student-athletes, coaches, and athletic program supporters turned out for a day of golfing and fellowship. James W. and Betty Dye Foundation, McMahon and Associates, Powers Health, and Hammond Machine Works were among the event sponsors. Pangere Corporation, Signarama, South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority, and Strack & Van Til numbered among the hole sponsors.
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, solitary golfers and foursomes took to the green. As they participated in the shotgun start tournament, golfers could donate money to receive mulligans and participate in course games like a golf ball cannon launch and on-course challenges. The on-course challenges included “Closest to Pin for Men,” “Closest to Pin for Women,” “Longest Putt,” and “Longest Drive.” These donations will also help support student-athletes in IU Northwest’s soccer, basketball, volleyball, and cross-country programs.
Ryan Shelton, director of athletics at IU Northwest, views the RedHawk Golf Classic as an important event for the campus and greater Northwest Indiana community.
“We want to foster engagement and camaraderie here today,” Shelton said. “While this is a fundraising event, our main goal is to connect our corporate sponsors and donors with our student athletes. With the help of these supporters, our athletic program can provide our student athletes with a tremendous experience. The RedHawk Golf Classic does a lot of good for our campus and it’s a great opportunity to tell some of our student athletes’ success stories. I’m very proud of our athletic department and of our athletes’ accomplishments. I am very grateful to all of our sponsors as well.”
Upon completing the tournament, the golfers gathered once again for lunch. Amy Diaz, chief of staff and interim vice chancellor of external affairs at IU Northwest, joined Shelton in thanking the donors and event sponsors for their support. Shelton then went on to highlight some of the successes that the RedHawk athletics program has experienced this past year. These include the unveiling of the campus’ Hall of Champions exhibit, the state-of-the art Savannah gymnasium upgrades, and the award-winning performances of student-athletes, like Jessica Carrothers and Trace Williams.
Dave Allard, one of the donors in attendance at the RedHawk Golf Classic and a retired member of the IU Northwest Board of Directors, is of the opinion that the RedHawk Athletic Program is well worth supporting.
“Athletic participation enhances a school's reputation,” Allard said. “It also helps boost enrollment and it has a good effect on the student athletes. Ryan Shelton has done a great job during his years with our athletic program. He loves Indiana University Northwest and we love him. You want to support somebody who is trying hard and getting results. We’re all a team and we’re pulling together for this school today.”
The attendees also participated in a raffle, hoping to win prizes like Chicago Bears, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Cubs tickets, all of which were valued at over $320. Participants could also win a Nike golf bag and a box of golf balls, a pack full of RedHawk gear, and a foursome round at Innsbrook Country Club. A jersey and basketball signed by Gary native and Cleveland Cavaliers point guard, Darius Garland, were also available prizes.
Anthony Nilo, a freshman business major and basketball student-athlete at IU Northwest, does not play golf, but says that he is now considering taking it up after attending the RedHawk Golf Classic. He enjoys seeing the donors, students, and athletic department staff interacting with one another on the golf course.
“It’s summer, so we’re in the off season right now,” Nilo said. “We’ve been at home doing our own things, but this event gives us a chance to gather in the same place and have some fun together. We’re a family at Indiana University Northwest and we always enjoy interacting with each other. Seeing all of the support that we have from the community gives me a good feeling. I’d like to thank everybody who came out today.”
Please visit iunredhawks.com to learn more information about Indiana University Northwest’s RedHawk athletics program and course offerings.
