Hammond Sports Hall of Fames
Class of 2026
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Dave Borbely
A standout, 3-sport high school athlete in football, wrestling and baseball, this 1977 Hammond High graduate continued his football play at DePauw University (Class of ’81), earning Most Valuable Offensive Lineman honors. Subsequently, he embarked on a college football coaching career that continued for 4+ decades. Serving primarily as an offensive line coach, run game coordinator and recruiter, he contributed to such rich, NCAA Division I programs as Tennessee, Tulane, Stanford, Notre Dame, Colorado, Virginia, Louisville and Pittsburgh. Thirty offensive linemen he coached went on to play in the National Football League.
Charles E. Cook
This 1977 Hammond High alumnus excelled as a speedy football running back and record-setting track sprinter, continuing his career at Western New Mexico University. In high school, he cracked the football starting lineup as a freshman. On the running track, he set school records in the 100- & 200-yard dashes and in 1977 was Indiana state runner-up in the 100 (9.7 seconds). At Western New Mexico, he was the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference 100-meter champion as a freshman in 1978, also anchoring his 4 X 100-meter relay unit to victory.
Brenda Pennington
This 2016 Bishop Noll graduate excelled as a basketball point guard, scoring 1,106 points while leading her teams to 3 conference titles (2013-16). Named a Top 60 senior in Hoosier Basketball magazine, she was MVP of the 2016 Indiana All-Star Classic. At Owens (OH) Community College (2016-18), she steered her school to its first undefeated regular season as an Honorable Mention All-America player. Subsequently, at William Penn (IA) University (2018-20), she was Honorable Mention All-America, 1st team all-conference and Female Athlete of the Year. Overall, her college teams compiled a 112-17 record.
Dave Sutkowski
Founder and manager of the Hammond Chiefs 18U travel baseball team, this 1978 Gavit High Alumnus piloted his squad to 1,136 victories over 34 years (through 2025). His Chiefs won the Senior Babe Ruth World Series championship in 2003, placed 2nd in 2009, and claimed 9 Ohio Valley Regional & 17 Indiana state titles. The Purdue University Calumet graduate also aided the careers of at least 22 professional players, including 3 major leaguers.
Of the 295 collegiate players he coached, 88 played at the NCAA Division I level.
Charles E. Cook
This 1977 Hammond High alumnus excelled as a speedy football running back and record-setting track sprinter, continuing his career at Western New Mexico University. In high school, he cracked the football starting lineup as a freshman. On the running track, he set school records in the 100- & 200-yard dashes and in 1977 was Indiana state runner-up in the 100 (9.7 seconds). At Western New Mexico, he was the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference 100-meter champion as a freshman in 1978, also anchoring his 4 X 100-meter relay unit to victory.
Brenda Pennington
This 2016 Bishop Noll graduate excelled as a basketball point guard, scoring 1,106 points while leading her teams to 3 conference titles (2013-16). Named a Top 60 senior in Hoosier Basketball magazine, she was MVP of the 2016 Indiana All-Star Classic. At Owens (OH) Community College (2016-18), she steered her school to its first undefeated regular season as an Honorable Mention All-America player. Subsequently, at William Penn (IA) University (2018-20), she was Honorable Mention All-America, 1st team all-conference and Female Athlete of the Year. Overall, her college teams compiled a 112-17 record.