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On Saturday, February 10, Allegheny College dedicated the Norm A. Sundstrom Walk of Fame in the David V. Wise Athletic Center. The space pays tribute to Sundstrom, a major force behind the tradition of athletic excellence at Allegheny, and also recognizes the talents and triumphs of the College’s greatest athletic legends.

“It is important, first of all, to honor all those who were willing to commit the time and effort that it takes to participate in athletics, let alone excel academically and athletically. Secondly, to be an inspiration to the current student-athletes to try to match the honors that our alums have achieved, both at the team and individual level.” says Director of Athletics and Recreation, Bill Ross. “As well as for future Gators who may walk through the Wise Center on a tour, to show that we not only hold dear our tradition of excellence, but to showcase what can be achieved as a student-athlete at Allegheny College.”

The Walk of Fame consists of eight pillars housing display shelves that showcase outstanding athletes throughout Allegheny’s history. The display cases include team memorabilia and championship trophies, as well as information on all athletes in the adjacent Hall of Fame. The Walk of Fame would not be possible without the donors who helped Allegheny College to bring this project to completion.

“I don’t know that we would have been able to receive the donations as quickly as we did had we not had that in honor of Norm Sundstrom,” said Ross. “He was just one of those memorable people that touched so many lives, whether they were on his teams or not.”

Sundstrom arrived at Allegheny in 1970, and led the men’s basketball team to more than 100 victories, two Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships, and two appearances in the NCAA Division III postseason. He also coached the men’s golf team for 27 years and made 21 consecutive appearances at the NCAA Division III Golf Championships.

In 1983, Sundstrom led the Gators to the NCAA Division III Men’s Golf National Championship – the first national team title in Allegheny’s history. This capped a run of six straight seasons in which Allegheny never finished lower than fourth in Division III. In total, Sundstrom, the 1983 Division Ill Men’s Golf Coach of the Year, led the Gators to 15 conference championships and 54 tournament wins. Along the way, his golfers attained 37 All-America and 86 All-Conference honors.

From 1979-92, Sundstrom served as Director of Athletics and oversaw one of the most successful eras in school history. In addition to winning two Division III national championships (men’s golf in 1983 and football in 1990), the department produced numerous conference and district championships. Under his supervision, at least nine of Allegheny’s 20 athletic teams advanced to the NCAA Division Ill postseason for seven consecutive years. Co-founder of the Golden Gator Club and creator of the Athletic Hall of Fame are among his many achievements that are still vital to the department today.

“When you look at his accomplishments as a coach and athletic director – he was the athletic director when Allegheny College won two team and numerous individual national championships, most don’t even have the chance to win one. And he coached one of those teams. It’s pretty remarkable,” says Ross.