Hall of Fame
Harlan Steinle
"It is a tremendous honor to be selected to the Fort Lewis College Hall of Fame Class of 2015," said Steinle. "It has been an honor to serve Fort Lewis College as a student-athlete, alumnus, and employee over a 50-year period of time. I would not have earned this honor without the immense support of many friends, family members, and colleagues to whom I will be eternally grateful."
A 1968 graduate of Fort Lewis College, Steinle wrestled for FLC from 1964-68 in the 137-pound weight class. He went on to become the Gallup High School head wrestling coach until 1971, while also working during the summers toward his Master's degree in Educational Administration from Northern Arizona University, receiving his degree in 1971.
In 1971, Steinle became the head wrestling coach at Fort Lewis College. One year later, he accepted a graduate teaching assistantship for postgraduate work in Athletic Administration at Oregon State University, where he remained until 1974.
Steinle returned to Fort Lewis College in 1974, working in numerous capacities, including the FLC assistant director of housing, Director of Admission, FLC Foundation Executive Director, and Special Assistant to the President. In 1993 Steinle was named the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Admission until his retirement in 2001. His areas of responsibility included Collegiate Athletics, Admission, College Marketing/Information/Publications, Alumni, and serving as the Executive Director of the Foundation.
Upon assuming the Vice President position, the Athletic Director position was open and President Joel Jones requested that Steinle serve as interim Athletic Director, in addition to continuing with his other responsibilities, until the Athletic Director position was filled. He served in this capacity for nine months, until Joel R. Smith was hired as Athletic Director. He worked with Smith to upgrade the scholarships and funding for the FLC athletic department. His accomplishments included increasing funding and scholarship funds.
Steinle received the Talon Club Director of Athletics Appreciation Award on March 30, 2001, "for going above and beyond the call of duty to serve Fort Lewis College Athletics."
Upon retirement in 2001, after 32 plus years of service to Fort Lewis College, athletics continued to be one of Steinle's priorities as he worked directly with the College President, Athletic Department, and the Booster Club to improve funding, facilities, and scholarships. Steinle achieved these goals by donating hundreds of hours to the athletics program.
"Harlan Steinle gave the Department of Athletics strong leadership," said Sheri Rochford-Figgs, who worked closely with Steinle and served as the Executive Director of the Fort Lewis College Foundation. "It all began as a student-athlete at the college and this grassroots approach is something that helped build the programs that are still vital today. This is why Harlan deserves recognition in the Fort Lewis College Athletic Hall of Fame."
