Grinnell College Athletics Hall of Fame
John V. Hartung '62 was a three-year letterman in both football and track, leading both teams to championships during his senior season. As a sophomore Hartung racked up record numbers on the gridiron. He was the leading ground gainer with 487 yards, a new sophomore record, and was the top scorer with 42 points. League coaches voted him all-conference honors. Hartung won the conference shot put title during indoor track and placed second outdoors. He also was a part of meet record-setting 440 and 880 relay units with times of 44.0 and 1:30.4 As a junir in football, John gained 465 yards and was an all-conference halfback. He was also named honorable mention Little All-American. Again, he claimed the loop's indoor shot put title with a throw of 46'0" and placed third at the outdoor meet. The hard-nosed halfback couldn't have written a better ending to his storybook football career as he led the Pioneers to their first Midwest Conference championship with season school records of 891 yards and 58 points, and a career record 19 touchdowns. That season he earned all-league and All-Ameirca honors. As captain of the track team, Hartung gave an ironman performance, helping Grinnell to the outdoor league championship. He scored points in shot, discus, long jump, 440 and ran on the championship mile relay team in a time of 3:25.00. John's advanced degrees are an M.A. from the University of South Dakota and a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University. Currently president of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges, Hartung previously served as vice-president of Simpson College and Dakota Wesleyan University. He also was a track coach and biology teacher. Hartung still competes occasionally in the weight events, winning the shot put at the Iowa Games in 1991 and 1992 and qualifying as an Age-Class All-American.
