FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Indiana Tech Department of Athletics announced its 2026 Hall of Fame class, which includes Courtney Dye ‘17, Mitch Pawlak ‘17, and Rich Riles, and the 2009 Men’s Soccer Team. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is set for 10:30 AM on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Schaefer Center during Tech’s annual Homecoming festivities.

For any direct questions, contact Indiana Tech Director of Athletics Jessie Biggs at jnbiggs@indianatech.edu. 

Courtney Dye competed on the Indiana Tech women’s golf team from 2013-17 and won the program’s first individual National Championship as a senior in 2017. She carded a 54-hole 222 at the PGA National – Squire Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., including a one-under 71 in the final round that moved her to the top of the leaderboard. 

Dye earned NAIA All-American honors three times, including a First-Team nod in 2016-17. She earned All-WHAC First Team recognition in four-consecutive seasons, including WHAC Golfer of the Year following the 2014-15 season. 

Her historic senior season included WHAC Medalist honors and a 78.5 scoring average. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering in May 2017.

Dye made a mark in the classroom as well, earning a place on the WHAC All-Academic Team three times and NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors twice. 

Mitch Pawlak was a member of the Indiana Tech men’s wrestling team from 2013-17. He was the program’s first Individual National Champion, winning at 125 pounds in 2016. He finished runner-up at 133 pounds in 2017. 

Pawlak was a 4x NAIA National Qualifier and became the first wrestler in program history to become a 4x All-American. He was also a 2x individual Conference/Regional Champion. 

Pawlak was named the Indiana Tech Most Outstanding Wrestler three times. In 2014, he was named the Most Improved Wrestler as well as Outstanding Newcomer. 

Pawlak’s name is everywhere in the Indiana Tech men’s wrestling history books. He is tied for first in career falls (60), 4th in career wins (106), 6th in highest single season win percentage (88.2%, 2016), 7th in career matches (138), and 8th in career winning percentage (76.7%). He also holds program single season records in wins (30) and falls (14) at 125 pounds. 

Pawlak was a 4x Letter Winner and was also named to the NWCA All-Academic Team. 

Rich Riles is entering his 18th year at Indiana Tech heading into the 2026-27 year. After spending 16 years as the Head Athletic Trainer, Riles took a step back in 2025-26 serving as an Assistant Athletic Trainer and oversee men's and women's basketball as well as women's lacrosse. 

Riles has been a mainstay of Indiana Tech Athletics for nearly two decades, being present at countless athletic events of nearly every sport. He works tirelessly behind the scenes with coaches and student athletes and is truly one of the unsung heroes of Indiana Tech. His unwavering dedication to Indiana Tech Athletics has earned Riles a spot in this year’s Hall of Fame class. 
 
Prior to coming to Tech, Riles served as an Associate Athletic Trainer at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) from 2001-2009 and was the head Athletic Trainer at the University of St. Francis (Ind.) from 1995-2001.
 
Riles received his bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences from the University of Oregon in 1991. He completed his master’s degree in athletic training at Indiana State University in 1995. While at ISU, Riles was the Graduate Assistant for the football program.

The 2009 men’s soccer team made program history, becoming the first Indiana Tech men’s soccer team to make a national tournament appearance since 1983, where they would upset previously unbeaten 2 seed Maine-Fort Kent 1-0 in overtime in the NAIA First Round. 

The 2009 squad also captured the first WHAC Tournament Championship in school history. Another program first was Martin Neuhoff winning WHAC Coach of the Year. 

This team saw 7 players named to the All-WHAC Conference Teams. Stu Thornton, Mark Baptist, and Josh Verhulst were named to the All-WHAC First Team. Mike Lewis and Tom Pickersgill were named to the All-WHAC Second Team, and Elliott Everson as well as Josh Ishraidi were named to the All-WHAC Third Team.