IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
IUP graduate A.W. “Pete” Alexander, whose affiliation with the university dates back 60 years, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the honorary Bell Ringer Award for his unwavering support of IUP and IUP athletics.
It’s only fitting that Alexander is being recognized by the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame, given that he was one of the original board members. He and his wife, Sue, were among the initial financial donors to get the Hall of Fame established.
Alexander has donated his time and service to various athletic committees, and has financially supported radio and business advertising programs, which in turn produce scholarships for student-athletes. At one time, he even purchased uniforms for IUP teams. Alexander and his wife have been loyal season ticket holders for football and basketball for many years.
A 1966 graduate of Laura Lamar (now Homer-Center) High School in Homer City, Alexander came to campus that fall and was hired as a student worker at the IUP Co-op Store. He took on a full-time role as the trade book manager in 1967 and then rose through the ranks, becoming acting director in 1986 and director in 1987. He retired from the bookstore in 2004.
Alexander pivoted in another direction in 2011 when he and Jim Froelicher opened the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Indiana. He previously served as president and vice president, but is currently the treasurer.
Alexander graduated from IUP in 1980 with a BS degree in history, with a concentration in Russian history. He and Sue, who reside in Indiana, have two children—Michael and Matthew—nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Personal Reflection
First and foremost, I would like to say how honored and humble I am to be able to join this august group. I have a 60-year history with IUP and IUP athletics, first as a student, then as a staff member joining the Co-op Store in 1967, and retiring in 2004 as director.
The seeds of the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame actually started with Carl Davis, Jim Laughlin, Jack Frank and myself. We would meet at the Co-op Store on Christmas Eve, so they could do their Christmas shopping, and they would talk about starting the Hall of Fame. We did this for years.
Then those three got together with Herm Sledzik, Ruth Podbielski, Frank Condino, Larry Judge and others and got things rolling. It started with meetings starting around 1993, and they asked if I would serve on the committee, and I have served on the committee since its inaugural class of 1995.
As the director of the Co-op Store, I had always been a supporter of IUP athletics under Athletic Directors Herm Sledzik, Frank Cignetti, Frank Condino, Ruth Podbielski and Fran Nee. I have and will continue to follow IUP athletics until I no longer can.
Thank you, members of the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame Committee, for allowing me to be an active member for over 30 years, and allowing me to join this very special group.
