Ionia High School Athletic Hall of Fame reveals 2026 class

Seven individuals and one team will be honored with induction into the Ionia Athletic Hall of Fame on September 19, 2026. The seven inductees include Tim Ludwick, Tim Antonides, Marty Gelfhof, John Balice, Coach Dan Painter, Dave Pinnow, and Pat Hummel. The Class of 1977 football team, which finished 8-1 and tied a school record with five shutouts, completes the class.

Ludwick excelled as a senior in basketball, earning all-state honors and going on to play at Grand Valley State University. Antonides, Class of 1987, was a standout football lineman at Central Michigan University. Gelfhof was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in wrestling, football, and baseball. Balice was an all-state baseball player at Ionia High School, setting records in career hits and RBIs, as well as football and basketball.

Coach Painter led the Ionia Bulldogs football team from 1977 to 1990, amassing 96 wins during his tenure. Pinnow and Hummel are being honored in an honorary capacity, with Pinnow serving as the public address announcer for 37 years of Ionia boys and girls basketball games, and Hummel for 37 years of operating the clock for Ionia football games.

Tickets for the induction ceremony can be obtained by contacting Scott Swinehart at (616) 446-8317 or Gary Swinehart at (616) 813-3240. For additional information, reach out to Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com, or follow him on X @brian_calloway.