Ionia Athletic Hall of Fame names 2026 class
Seven individuals and Ionia High School’s 1977 football team are scheduled for induction on 19 September 2026.
The Ionia Athletic Hall of Fame will induct seven individuals and the 1977 Ionia High School football team at a ceremony on 19 September 2026.
The individual inductees are Tim Ludwick, Tim Antonides, Marty Gelfhof, John Balice, coach Dan Painter, Dave Pinow and Pat Hummel. The 1977 football team went 8–1 and reportedly tied a school record with five shutouts.
Ludwick contributed to league and district championship basketball teams as a senior in 1982, earned all-state honours and later played at Grand Valley. Antonides, a 1987 graduate, was an all-state football lineman who continued his career at Central Michigan.
Gelfhof was recognised as a standout in wrestling, football and baseball. The 2006 graduate recorded 116 wrestling wins and set a school football record with 34 tackles for loss, according to the Lansing State Journal report published by Yahoo Sports.
Balice was an all-state baseball player who set school records for career hits and RBIs, while also competing in football and basketball. Painter coached Ionia football from 1977 to 1990 and was involved in 96 wins at the school; he was also selected to the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Pinow and Hummel are honorary selections. Pinow spent 37 years as the public address announcer at Ionia boys’ and girls’ basketball games, while Hummel operated the clock at Ionia football games for 37 years. Tickets are available through Scott Swinehart or Gary Swinehart.
