Western Michigan University Athletics

*All inductee information current up to the year they were inducted. 

Victor (Vic) Vanderberg
Football, 1935-37
Basketball, 1936-37
Baseball, 1936-38
Inducted 2002
Kalamazoo, Michigan

• Earned a total of eight varsity letters during collegiate career
• As a forward on the 1935-36 Bronco basketball team, Vanderberg helped WMU post a 15-3 record
• Member of 1936-37 hoops squad that won 13 of 17 games
• Played shortstop and third base for the Western Michigan baseball team. Batted .317 in 1936
• 1982 Alumni “W” Club Man of the Year
• Served in the U.S. Army during World War II
• Former secretary of “W” Club, WMU Baseball Dugout Club and Hockey Blue Line Club
• Former business manager for the Kalamazoo American Legion Baseball Team
• Son, Tom, was Academic All-American catcher for WMU
• Worked over 31 years at Upjohn

John Vander Wal
Baseball, 1986-87
Inducted 2003
Hudsonville, Michigan

• Ranks third all-time WMU home runs (23) and RBI (125), third in slugging percentage (.561)
• Two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection
• Veteran major leaguer with stops in Milwaukee, New York, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Colorado and Montreal
• Set MLB pinch-hit (26) and pinch-hit RBI (17) mark in 1995
• Played in the 1998 World Series with the San Diego Padres

Jack Vredevelt
Tennis, 1952-55
Inducted 1991
Grand Rapids, Michigan

• Had a 104-28 record in singles and doubles and his school victory record stoof for 18 years. His 22 straight wins remains a Bronco record.
• Unbeaten in career singles matches and won Mid-American Conference titles (No. 1, No. 2 two times and No. 3). Played on three championship teams.
• Compiled an 82-53 mark in seven years as coach at Vanderbilt University.
• Had a 347-201 record over 24 seasons at Western. Citied as MAC “coach of the year” four times and 1981 team win championship. Among NCAA’s top 26 coaches for victories.
• As a senior player, won three Michigan Open and six state open men’s 45 doubles.