Awards

Leanne Grotke Award - 2021

About Linda Bunce

Linda Bunce (BS ’81) was one of IU Athletics’ pioneers, playing both softball and volleyball during an era when IU women’s athletics were under the direction of the Department of Physician Education for Women.

Bunce was a catcher for the IU softball extramural team from 1969-73 and also an outside hitter for the Hoosier volleyball team from 1969-70. A Certificate of Merit recipient for her athletic contributions as an undergraduate, she was subsequently awarded a varsity “I” letter when IU Athletics honored IU’s past female student-athletes who competed in the era before women’s sports were under the direction of the Athletic Department.

Her contributions to women’s athletics didn’t end with her IU career. While she was working for 30 years as an Assembly and Fab Operator at General Motors in Kokomo, she was also volunteering a great deal of her time as both a youth volleyball, basketball and softball coach at the junior high school and high school levels. She also worked for the IHSAA as a softball, basketball and volleyball official, and for the ASA as a youth tournament softball umpire.

While her playing days at IU ended nearly 50 years ago, she has remained close to the sports programs throughout. She’s been an IU Football season ticket holder for 43 years, an IU Women’s Basketball season ticket holder for 18 years, and IU Varsity Club member for 46 years.