By Staff
BENTON TOWNSHIP - Continuing with its tradition of recognizing athletic excellence, aLake Michigan College's Athletic Department will induct Andrea VandenBerg Amborski of Martin and Pam Warner of Buchanan into the LMC Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, Feb. 4.
The ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium during the intermission between the women's and men's basketball games against Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The event is open to the public. Andrea VandenBerg (Amborski) played softball and bowling for LMC from 1979 to 1981.
A former Wayland High School standout, VandenBerg led the Lady Indians softball team to a national runner-up finish and a 44-7 record during her second season. In addition to the softball team's success, she was recognized as a first team All-American, All-Conference, All-State and All-Region MVP.
VandenBerg also was an All-State bowler both years at LMC while winning back-to-back team state championships.
VandenBerg earned an associate's degree and graduated with honors from LMC in 1981.
After leaving LMC, VandenBerg transferred to Northwestern University on a full softball scholarship.
In her first year there, Northwestern defeated the University of Michigan for the Big Ten Championship while Andrea contributed an 11-7 pitching record and a 0.42 ERA, including 95 strikeouts in 116 innings. She was also an Academic All-Big Ten selection and graduated with honors in 1983.
After graduation, VandenBerg became a successful teacher and coach, winning two conference titles during her six years as the varsity softball coach at her alma mater, Wayland High School. She has been a sixth grade teacher there for 19 years.
A former Jonesville High School standout, Warner was both a dominant pitcher and an outstanding hitter for the Lady Indians. Over two years, she held a 36 – 4 pitching record with a combined 0.71 E.R.A. and .380 batting – more – average.
Warner led her teams to back-to-back regional championships and two third place finishes at nationals. Her illustrious LMC career was recognized as she was named a NJCAA All-American and won a silver medal as a member of the 1983 Pan-American team.
After leaving LMC, Warner transferred to Central Missouri State University on a softball scholarship and played for one year earning all-conference recognition. Following Central Missouri State, she transferred to Grand Valley State University and earned a bachelor's degree in Education.
After graduating from GVSU, Warner's contributions to LMC continued as she became an assistant softball coach under then head coach Liz Miller in 1987.
In 1988, she joined the LMC grounds department and was named outstanding facilities management employee in 2003.
Warner resides in Buchanan and still works for the LMC grounds department.
Nominees for induction into the LMC Athletic Hall of Fame are considered based on the following: Athletes who completed a minimum of one season on an LMC-sponsored intercollegiate team are eligible for consideration ten years after completing participation.
Coaches who completed a minimum of three seasons coaching an LMC-sponsored athletic team; current coaches are eligible for selection after five years of involvement.
Those wanting more information about nominating individuals for future induction consideration should contact Doug Schaffer, LMC athletic director, at (269) 927-8165 or at schaffer@lakemichigancollege.edu .