John Edward Bargfeldt - 1999 Athlete
Professional baseball, the Pan American Games and U.S. Sports Festival, coaching and teaching have been beneficiaries of John Edward Bargfeldt’s skills since he established records in football and baseball while an athlete at Anderson University.
A product of Calumet High School in Gary, John earned three letters in both football and baseball at Anderson University. He was named team MVP in baseball in 1976 and football in 1977. He held several Raven pitching records and football receiving records, including 15 catches against Wilmington in the 1977 Homecoming game, which stood as a record until 2001.
Drafted into pro baseball in 1977, he spent three seasons with the Chicago Cubs organization before returning to Anderson for one more season and graduation in 1981.
The 1991 Pan American Games saw him win a silver medal in fastpitch softball and perform as the USA shortstop and second leading hitter. He also won a gold medal in 1993 during the U.S. Sports Festival in fastpitch softball.
On the educational scene, Bargfeldt coached the only undefeated freshman boy’s basketball team (16-0) in the South Madison School Corporation at Pendleton, where he was a teacher/coach for more than 15 years.
Calumet High School inducted him into their Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.
Anderson University is proud to name John Edward Bargfeldt to its Athletic Hall of Fame.
