Andreas entering Hall of Fame for work in women's athletics

As one of seven people returning to Bloomington Nov. 2 to be inducted into the IU Athletics Hall of Fame, Leanne Andreas is immortalized in a way her fellow inductees are not.

Her name bears the highest award an alumna from IU can receive in athletics: The Leanne Grotke Award.

Andreas’ original surname was Grotke until she married Harold Andreas in 1991.

Andreas came to IU in the 1960s because Anita Aldridge, Ph.D., her professional mentor, came to IU.

“I knew that I could get a graduate assistantship if I applied at Indiana,” Andreas said. “I came to IU to do my graduate work.”

Andreas earned her master’s degree in 1966. She also served as commissioner for national championships for the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women in 1966.

Title IX was introduced in 1972. Though it didn’t enable her appointment to the department, the legislation helped develop the sports program for women.

Andreas said IU was always ahead of the curve concerning women’s sports.

“I really didn’t feel that [misogyny or condescension] at Indiana,” Andreas said. “Bill Orwig was the athletics director when we moved into the athletics department. He was very gracious and wanted the women’s program to be a top program. The feeling of the individual coaches was always positive as far as I could see.”

Andreas moved on to Cal State Fullertont prior to the 1978-79 school year. She served there for 13 years and said what she gained at IU gave her the leeway and opportunity to assume leadership positions in the state, region and at the national level.

“When I went to California, I was recognized as one of the leaders in women’s athletics,” she said. “That kind of laid the way for me to be appointed to the NCAA Executive Committee at the recommendation of our conference commissioner.”

She never thought this award would be named for her once she retired.

“I thought everything was over, and that was it,” she said with a small laugh. “I was quite surprised and honored when they decided to name the Leanne Grotke Award and present it to student athletes each year, and again by recognition in the hall of fame.”

She said she’s most excited about her friends and family coming to the dinner for the induction ceremony.

“I treasure those relationships,” she said. “People and relationships are so important. That’s why I’m looking forward to coming back, being there with the other honorees. They’re all very accomplished people in intercollegiate athletics. It’s truly an honor to be among that group and to be recognized by such a fine university.”

That the award bears her name means much, Andreas said.

“I have so much respect and appreciate IU for its academic programs, its national recognition in so many fields and the opportunities it afforded me while I was there,” she said. “I love the Big Ten, and I really love Indiana.”