Villanueva to Be Inducted Into Indiana University Northwest Athletics Hall of Fame

Villanueva-to-Be-Inducted-Into-Indiana-University-Northwest-Athletics-Hall-of-FameAssistant Athletic Director Anna Villanueva will be inducted into the Indiana University Northwest RedHawk Athletics Hall of Fame on April 19, 2018 at the Ambassador Banquet Hall in Hobart, IN. Recognizing individual leadership and success, the IU Northwest RedHawk Athletics Hall of Fame honors athletes, coaches, administrators, and supporters who have significantly contributed to the development and growth of the RedHawks program and the Office of Athletics. Inductees must be nominated for this prestigious honor.

Anna Villanueva has been an IU Northwest RedHawk since the fall of 2000 when she began playing the center position on the school’s women’s basketball club team. She went on to play on the NAIA varsity women’s basketball team from 2001 to 2003, while also playing volleyball as a middle hitter from 2001 to 2004.

Villanueva graduated from IU Northwest with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in May 2005 and started working in the Student Life/Athletic Office as a sports information director and secretary shortly thereafter. Since then, Villanueva has also served as the assistant women’s volleyball coach during several seasons.

IU Northwest Director of Athletics Ryan Shelton noted Villanueva’s strong ties to the university, “Anna has dedicated her entire career to IU Northwest and RedHawks Athletics. She has had the unique experience of having been a student-athlete, coach, and administrator. She is passionate about athletics and the success of student-athletes. With her many achievements and dedication to IU Northwest and RedHawks Athletics, we are proud to honor her as she is inducted in our Hall of Fame.”

“Being able to play college athletics was a great experience for me and some of my best memories are of my teammates, games, and coaches,” Villanueva said. “Because of IU Northwest athletics, I have made lifelong friendships. During those early years, we may not have gotten a win as often as we would have liked, however, playing here taught me perseverance during adverse times in life.

“I am who I am today because of the opportunities I was fortunate enough to have as a student-athlete at IU Northwest. I have had this amazing career thanks to Scott Fulk, IU Northwest Director of Student Life; Linda Anderson, former Director of Student Life and Athletics; and Kris Schnatz, former Director of Athletics. Without their guidance and encouragement to continue with my passion for athletics, I am certain I would not be where I am today.”

With the encouragement of then-Director of Athletics Dr. Charles Gary, Villanueva went on to earn a Master of Sports Management with a certificate in Athletic Administration at Southern New Hampshire University in 2013. She is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at IU Northwest.

After earning her master’s degree in sports management, Villanueva became the Director of Operations in the now stand-alone Athletics Department. In 2017, she was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director and continues to serve in several important roles including, information, operations, and coaching.

Tickets for the IU Northwest Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet are on sale now and can be purchased by contacting the IU Northwest Athletic Department at 219-980-6944.

About Indiana University Northwest
One of eight campuses of Indiana University, IU Northwest is located in metropolitan Northwest Indiana, approximately 30 miles southeast of Chicago and 10 miles from the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. The campus has a diverse student population of approximately 4,000 degree-seeking students and 1,500 dual-degree-seeking students. The campus offers Associate, Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees in a variety of undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional degree options available from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, the School of Business and Economics, and the School of Education. The campus is also host to IU School of Medicine-Northwest-Gary, which actively involves students in research and local healthcare needs through its four-year medical doctorate program. IU Northwest emphasizes high-quality teaching, faculty and student research and engagement on campus and in the community. As a student-centered campus, IU Northwest is committed to academic excellence characterized by a love of ideas and achievement in learning, discovery, creativity and engagement. Indiana University Northwest is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to achieving excellence through diversity. The University actively encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, persons with disabilities, and members of other underrepresented groups.