PHOTO COURTESY OF DEPAUW UNIVERSITY
“Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.”
Although this phrase has become a cliché over the past years, it holds true for DePauw Unversity alumnus Lee Hamilton, a member of the class of 1952, who has been chosen by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) to be inducted into the Capital One Academic All-America Hall of Fame.
“For somebody to be inducted into the Hall of Fame… is a tremendous honor that happens to very few individuals,” DePauw athletic director Stevie Baker-Watson said. “It does take into account a culmination of everything that they have done, not only as a student athlete, but what they’ve done since then.”
Director of Athletics Communications Bill Wagner agreed.
“I think when student-athletes are in school, they’re obviously motivated to do well in both areas that they’re involved in,” Wagner said. “For [the future inductees], it’s also kind of a life-time award. There are a lot of… student-athletes that graduate with 4.0 GPAs… but they don’t blossom the same way that some of these people do.”
Originally from Evansville, Indiana, Hamilton was a standout player on the Tigers' basketball team, and also excelled in the classroom, graduating from DePauw in 1952. He would go on to serve 34 years “with distinction” in the U.S. House of Representatives, while also being elected into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.
After serving in the House, Hamilton went on to become President of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars as well as vice-president of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks. These are only a few of the organizations and institutions Hamilton has put his efforts into.
And yet, when he received notice of his Hall of Fame nomination, Hamilton was almost taken aback.
“I was very pleased and quite surprised, ” said Hamilton. “My fellow nominees are a select company.”
Hamilton will be inducted into the Hall of Fame with people such as former Duke University basketball player Shane Battier and University of Florida Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel.
“When you sit through the ceremonies, it’s unbelievable, the people who they’ve honored… the things that some of those people have gone on to do,” Wagner said. “They’re recognizing the best of the best student-athletes… It brings it all together.”
Other past inductees include New York Yankees manager Joe Giradi, former New York Giant Tiki Barber and former Arizona Cardinal/war veteran Pat Tilman.
“I thought [Hamilton] seem[ed] to be a natural,” Wagner said. “His public service record was incredible. The political world has so much respect for him.”
Although his time at DePauw was only the start of his successful career, Hamilton sees it as a great opportunity to excel.
“I think it’s a terrific school,” Hamilton said. “It opened up new worlds to me… and opened my eyes to many things.”
Baker-Watson also sees the benefits of what DePauw has to offer.
“For us as an institution to have… a former student athlete to be recognized in that way shows how impactful the DePauw education can be on someone as they go,” Baker-Watson said.
Hamilton has returned to the university numerous times, as he has given the commencement address on multiple occasions while also giving an Ubben Lecture in 2011.
But for the current student-athletes, their journeys are just beginning. Hamilton sees his or her task as challenging, yet straightforward.
“Give it your best shot,” Hamilton said. “These opportunities you have only come about once. You will never regret trying and failing because you’ve learned from that experience. What you will regret is not trying.”
Hamilton will be the first DePauw alumnus to become a member of the Hall of Fame. The induction will take place this summer in Orlando, Florida on June 15th.