Gary Ausbun - 1998 Athlete

Dedicated churchman and a model of modesty, Gary Ausbun is remembered for his collection of records set in basketball while at Anderson University still played in the "Roundhouse," that scene of earliest Church of God camp meetings after the Reformation Movement established headquarters in Anderson.

His record for most points scored in one game in the Roundhouse (45) was never broken. The team began play in O.C. Lewis Gym in 1961. In that contest, he scored 22 baskets in 27 shots - still a record for most field goals in a game. His other basketball honors include twice All-Conference, twice team MVP, twice team captain and All-American after the 1957-58 season. He earned three letters at AU after transferring from Kansas State Teachers College in Fort Hays, Kan., where he lettered as a freshman.

Though he missed parts of five games as a senior, Ausbun scored 640 points in 1957-58, still the third highest single season total in school history. He was also a member of the first AU team to play in the NAIA national tournament in 1958 in Kansas City, Mo.

His athletic prowess was recognized in being chosen to play with the 1957 summer "Venture for Victory" missionary basketball team that played 72 games and was undefeated.

In track he earned four letters, three MVP award and he was team captain four times. He set records in the shot put, discus and javelin and describes himself as a "jack-of-all-trades" who participated in the high jump and hurdles.

While pasturing in Missouri, Michigan, Kentucky, Virginia and Anderson, he has served the Church of God nationally as well as at the state level. For six years, he was secretary of the Movement's policy-making General Assembly, where he worked in mass communication, children's work, credentials, work camps and counseling.

Ausbun's family is as Anderson University oriented as he is. His wife, Frankie (McBrayer) and three of four daughters (Connie Fultz, Mary Beth Blackburn and Dana Lynn Baker) are alumni. Fultz ran cross country and track at AU while Baker was the 1991 Homecoming Queen and a cheerleader.

Anderson University is proud to name Gary Wayne Ausbun among its second class of inductees to the Athletic Hall of Fame.