Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame
Gary A. Sojka
- Induction:
- 2006
Positions: University President, Faculty Member
Gary Sojka was not a student-athlete or a coach at Bucknell, be he must be regarded as one of the most influential individuals in Bison Athletics history. He was an outstanding collegiate athlete in his own right and is also member of the Athletics Hall of Fame at Coe College, where he was a halfback on the football team and a conference hurdles champion in track and field. Sojka's enshrinement in the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame is a reflection of his unwavering support of Bucknell's scholar-athlete ideal. As university president from 1984-94, Sojka led Bucknell Athletics through one of its most significant transitions in school history and positioned the program to be a leader in promoting the student-athlete model. Under his leadership, Bucknell became a charter member of the football-only Patriot League (then called the Colonial League) in 1986, and he pledged full support when the league expanded to an all-sports conference in 1990. As president he served on the Patriot League Executive Council and the NCAA Presidents Council. Even after his tenure as president came to an end, Sojka remained a loyal friend and advocate of Bison Athletics. He served as the school's NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative for many years and remained a trusted adviser to athletic directors, coaches, and student-athletes. The Bucknellian's 2006 "Person of the Year" will not only be forever enshrined in the Hall of Fame, but the home of the Bucknell men's and women's basketball teams - Sojka Pavilion - bears his name.Â
(Bucknell Hall of Fame Class of 2006)
Gary Sojka was not a student-athlete or a coach at Bucknell, be he must be regarded as one of the most influential individuals in Bison Athletics history. He was an outstanding collegiate athlete in his own right and is also member of the Athletics Hall of Fame at Coe College, where he was a halfback on the football team and a conference hurdles champion in track and field. Sojka's enshrinement in the Bucknell Athletics Hall of Fame is a reflection of his unwavering support of Bucknell's scholar-athlete ideal. As university president from 1984-94, Sojka led Bucknell Athletics through one of its most significant transitions in school history and positioned the program to be a leader in promoting the student-athlete model. Under his leadership, Bucknell became a charter member of the football-only Patriot League (then called the Colonial League) in 1986, and he pledged full support when the league expanded to an all-sports conference in 1990. As president he served on the Patriot League Executive Council and the NCAA Presidents Council. Even after his tenure as president came to an end, Sojka remained a loyal friend and advocate of Bison Athletics. He served as the school's NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative for many years and remained a trusted adviser to athletic directors, coaches, and student-athletes. The Bucknellian's 2006 "Person of the Year" will not only be forever enshrined in the Hall of Fame, but the home of the Bucknell men's and women's basketball teams - Sojka Pavilion - bears his name.Â
(Bucknell Hall of Fame Class of 2006)
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Tuesday, January 20
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Sunday, January 18
Bucknell Women's Basketball Post Game Interview: Jan. 17 vs. Colgate
Saturday, January 17
In The Herd: Spring Season Preview And Amar Tahirovic Feature
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