NACDA RELEASE

KENOSHA, WIS.—The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced its 2019 Hall of Fame Class on Monday afternoon. Former Carthage College director of athletics Robert Bonn is among the eight individuals in the 2019 Hall of Fame Class that will be honored at the NACDA Convention on June 12, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. 
 
"I am extremely honored to receive this award and be recognized by my peers and NACDA," said Bonn. "NACDA's ability and efforts to conduct conventions and workshops that bring everyone together to learn and share ideas made a significant difference in my career. Throughout the years, my participation in these programs provided me with motivation, basic fundamentals, innovative ideas and friends from all over the country. I am forever grateful to the hundreds of colleagues who share their expertise."
 
Despite working together for a short time, Carthage College President John Swallow holds Bonn's tenure as director of athletics in high regard for the institution's past, present and future successes.
 
"Bob Bonn presided over a more than a quarter-century of growth and development of Carthage's athletics programs," said Swallow. "He set new heights in the competitiveness of Carthage teams, leading teams in twenty different sports to win conference championships; in facilities, leading improvements and expansion for our sports; and in recognition for Carthage as an outstanding NCAA Division III institution. I am thrilled that NACDA is recognizing Bob for his tireless effort and his monumental achievement. The award is exceedingly well-deserved."
 
Bonn's 40-plus year career in collegiate athletics has spanned from coast-to-coast, where it started on the eastern half in Massachusetts as the men's lacrosse graduate assistant coach at Springfield College in 1975. In 1976, Bonn made the 87-mile trek from Springfield to Westwood, Massachusetts, where he enlisted his services at Westwood High School as a physical education teacher and boy's basketball coach for six years. Bonn followed that with a stop at Framingham State University (Mass.) before he expedited to Silver City, New Mexico to serve a stint at Western New Mexico University as assistant men's basketball coach.
 
Bonn's pre-Carthage days concluded at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, where he served a dual role as head men's basketball coach/director of athletics and exercise science from 1983-1991. Known for making something out of nothing, Bonn inherited a Pacific University men's basketball program that finished 0-26 prior to his arrival and led the squad to double-digit victories in each of his final six seasons at the helm. This includes 19 victories in 1990-91 before wrapping up his coaching career with 18 wins in 1991-92.
 
His days of turning things around were far from finished as he embarked on a 26-year stint as Carthage College Director of Athletics from April 1992 – July 2018. It was at Carthage where Bonn's involvement with NACDA flourished as he served a stint as National Association of Athletic Development Directors (NAADD) President during the 2001-02 academic year. NAADD, which provides educational and networking opportunities in fund raising, was a launching pad for Bonn as he established endowments for Carthage athletics that totals over $3 million today. Bonn's efforts helped land him 2007 NACDA Division III West Region Athletics Director of the Year, and most recently the 2019 NAADD Lifetime Achievement Award.
 
Bonn's accomplishments at Carthage included the addition of nine varsity athletics programs, which grew the total sport offerings to 24 that consistently spans over 800 student athletes annually. His guidance also resulted in the $50 million athletic facility renovations, making Carthage one of the top NCAA Division III institutions in terms of first-class facilities.
 
Bonn earned his bachelor of science degree in physical education from the University of Connecticut in 1974, and went on to receive a master's degree in athletic administration from Springfield College in 1975. Bonn wrapped his education with a doctoral degree from Boston University in 1983.