Hall of Fame Choose a Hall Of Fame Member: Allen, Ken Allen, Ryan Anders, Terry Anderson, Ken Arneson, Scott "Arnie" Barth, John Beardsley, Arlene (Meinholz) Bennett, Dick Bennett, John "Jack" Berezowitz, Bob Blair, Lynn "Red" Blank, Becky Boelk, Randy Bollinger, Jim Braden, Mark Briwa, Dr. Helen Brunson, Merrill Butler, Tom Cardinal, Merilee (Healy) Caufield, Paul Chinnock, Dwight Chryst, George H. Church, Jason L. Coleman, Mel Collins, Dr. Patricia Conlin, Paul L. Corning, Greg Crandall, Jill Culver, Craig DeLong, Nate Doden, Jim Drews, Jim Edwards, Casey Eloranta, Gary "Stump" Endres, Chelsea (Hoff) Erickson, Paul Esten, Phil Evans, Dale M. Farley, Mike Fiedler, Tom Fisher, J.P. Foster, Connie Gantner, Jim Gibson, Barbara Gilmore, Stephanie (Sullivan) Graichen, David Guthrie, Mark R. Harring, Roger N. Healy, Pat Heineke, Wendy Herb, Lisa Hicks, Alex Hoffmann, Ben Ignacio, Jennifer (Tischaefer) Jacob, Michelle James, Byron Jamieson, Amy Jeter, Rob Jianette, Jim Johnson, Ray C. Jones, Dr. Dianne Jorgensen, Terry Jorgensen, Tim Kachel, Dave L. Karges, Dr. R.A. Karner, Dr. Gary F. Knepper, Ben Knudsen, Laura (Verdegan) Krautscheid, Patti (Franckowiak) Kriewaldt, Clint Kruckman, Judy Kurth, Dr. Steve Kuss, Roger Maki, Julie McKoy, Andre Meka, Wendy (Wangerin) Melzer, Rich Miech, Sheila Miller, Jack Mintz, Dwain Mortorelli, Americo "Mertz" Moselle, Dominic Mueller, Mel Mulligan, Karen (Guckenberger) Myers, Willie Nelson, Emogene Nelson, Nancy Neubauer-Muesing, Tori Newberry, Thomas O'Brien, Frank Page, Don Pein, PhD, Richard L. Perkins, Forrest Petermann, Tim Peterson, John Pitt, Jr., Lou L. Porter, Terry Prior, Tom Puls, Otto Ratliff, Michael D. Rock, Andrew Ross, Camille Russell, Kris Ryan, William "Bo" Salzmann, Leah (Juno) Schierl, Sara (Smith) Schulman, Deb Schumacher, Sandy Schwager, Ed Sims, Ralph Sparger, Max R. Steinhagen, Kelsey (Duoss) Stephens, Martha Stone, Lisa Sutherland, Doug Taddy, Marcia Taylor, Mary (Leivian) Thering, Lydia C. Thomas, Mark Tiedemann, Dr. Russell G. Turk, Matt Van Gorden, Jim van Steenderen, Marty Van Wie, T.J. Vander Meulen, Dave "Augie" Varsho, Gary Vercauteren, Deb Walston, Kristi (Griggs) Washburn, Jarrod Whereatt, Ted Wilson, Judy Wingenbach, Rebecca (Jordahl) Wrigglesworth, Frank Yanna, Carol Zdroik, Kari Zimmermann, Jordan Zuerlein, John Zupanc, John Jim Van Gorden Class Induction 2025 Sport(s) UW-Eau Claire Induction Video (Written: July 2025) Jim Van Gorden was a member of UW-Eau Claire’s football team from 1961-64, securing NAIA All-America First Team honors in 1964 when he led the NAIA with 256.3 passing yards per game. Van Gorden guided UW-Eau Claire to back-to-back conference championships in 1963 and 1964. He was an all-conference selection in 1962, 1963 and 1964, and named Team MVP three times, becoming the first player in program history to accomplish the feat. In his senior year, Van Gorden posted five of the top-six total offense games in school history. At the time of his graduation, Van Gorden held several school records – most passing yards in a game, most yards of total offense in a game, most passing touchdowns in a game, most passing yards in a season, and most yards of total offense in a season. Van Gorden’s number 12 was retired and is one of two Blugold football numbers to be retired. He signed with the Green Bay Packers following graduation and went on to play semi-pro football with the Joliet Explorers in 1965. Van Gorden was inducted into the UW-Eau Claire Athletics Hall of Fame in 1977, the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Eau Claire Old Abe Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2012, he was selected to the WIAC Football All-Time Team in conjunction with the conference’s Centennial Celebration. Van Gorden earned a bachelor’s degree in geography from UW-Eau Claire and master’s degree in physical education from UW-La Crosse. He resides in Bloomer, Wis., with his wife of 63 years Carolyn. They have three daughters Mary, Cathy and Emily, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.