Hammond Sports Hall of Fame
The Class of 2023 Inductees

 
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2023 Induction photos


Juan Alba


 Roy L. McPipe
Mark Allan Nagy

Jim Tarka
1972 Hammond Edison Little League baseball team
Louis Kosanovich
(Veterans Category)

2023 Inductees:

JUAN ALBA


As a 12-letter, high school athlete, this 2000 Gavit alumnus was a 2-time all-state football offensive lineman. He also recorded a school record-setting 125 victories on the wrestling mat while winning 3 sectional & 3 regional championships plus 1 semi-state title in the 215-pound weight class. As a track & field thrower, he excelled in the discus, winning a combined 4 sectional & regional titles. He went on to throw at the University of Notre Dame, competing in the discus and hammer events, earning All-Big East honors & 3 varsity letters.

 

 

 

ROY L. McPIPE


Following a relatively limited high school playing career, this 1970 Hammond High graduate blossomed at the former Eastern Montana College (now, Montana State University Billings). During 3 seasons of play, the potent guard set several school scoring records while averaging 19.4, 26.6 and 28.4 points a game, respectively. He also was a frequent double-digit rebounder who concluded his college career as a 2-time NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) All-American. He signed professionally with the ABA’s (American Basketball Association) Utah Stars in 1974.

 

MARK ALLAN NAGY


This 1979 Hammond High alumnus excelled in football and track & field for the Wildcats. On the gridiron in the trenches as an offensive & defensive lineman, he earned all-state honors as a center. In track & field, he set school & sectional records in the shot put and won sectional & regional titles. Continuing his shot put career at Butler University (Class of ’83), he went on to earn 4 varsity letters, claim a college state championship and set a Butler performance record.   

 

 

JIM TARKA


Head coach of Bishop Noll boys track & field and cross country teams (1980-94), he led the track & field Warriors to a 2nd place state finish in ’87 and 3rd place in ’88. He also coached 5 individual state champions, a state titlist relay and guided Noll to 6 outdoor and 7 indoor conference titles. During his run of coaching both teams, he was named conference coach-of-the-year 9 times. He also founded Northwest Indiana’s Calumet Region Striders running organization and its Gold Cup road race series. 


1972 HAMMOND EDISON LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM


The summer of 1972 saw a team of south Hammond boys—from left, kneeling: Tim Parker, Tom Parker, Joe Rixie, Jeff Wright, Pete DelRio, Peter Vargulich and Steve Moore; standing: manager Pete Vargulich, Tom Byelick, Jim Pawlowicz, John Davis, Gary Friedrich, Mike Rozgony, George Leonakis, Rob Clark and coach Joe Cornell—claim the United States championship and world runner-up finish of the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, PA. During its tournament run of single elimination play, Edison compiled a 12-0 record en route to the U.S. title before falling to Taipei City, Taiwan, 6-0, in the world championship game.

 

LOUIS KOSANOVICH
(Veterans Category)

A 2-sport (football & golf) Hammond High athlete, this 1943 alumnus was especially prominent on the gridiron. But after graduating from high school, the call of Uncle Sam and World War II interrupted his athletic career. As an army staff sergeant he received a Bronze Star. In ’46, he resumed his education & football career at Indiana University. Overcoming a knee injury, he was a 2-time letterman as a Hoosiers quarterback. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in 1950.