Hall of Fame
Dan Karpanty’s job title changed daily during his 27 years working in the Grand Valley State athletics department. Dan became known as “Mr. Laker” by all at GVSU and coined the phrase of “Have A Happy Laker Day.” Dan worked in virtually every area of the athletics department, including, but not limited to concessions, ushering, parking, program sales, ticket sales, athletic equipment, ground maintenance, game management and sports information to name a few. When GVSU hosted an event Dan was working it, while also working nearly every non-GVSU event as well. When the Lakers went on the road for NCAA Tournament action Dan was on the trip, regardless of the distance he and his wife Barb had to travel. During his career at GVSU Karpanty mentored over 1,600 student workers in all facets of the department, while also being involved in campus ministry and as a member of the GVSU AP Committee. Karpanty worked for every Grand Valley State Director of Athletics (Charles Irwin, Don Dufek, George McDonald, Mike Kovalchik, Tim Selgo and Keri Becker) in some capacity.
