Union High School Class of 1998 alumnus Garrett Gingrich (with microphone) speaks to a packed high school gymnasium during his Hall of Fame induction ceremony held on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in La Porte City. Gingrich was honored as the Hall of Fame Class of 2025’s Distinguished Graduate. PHOTO BY REBECCA LYN DAVIS

LA PORTE CITY – A ‘legend’ was recently inducted into the Union High School Hall of Fame – veteran and Class of 1998 alumnus Garrett H. Gingrich.

As part of the boys wrestling quad held at the high school on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 – during which the Knights battled Don Bosco, East Buchanan, and Springville – Gingrich was honored between the first and second duals as the 2025 Hall of Fame’s ‘Distinguished Graduate.’

While attending Union High School from 1994-1998, Gingrich was a three-sport student-athlete, participating in football, basketball, and track. A sampling of his high school honors include:

-All-District Football First Team, running back

-All-State Football Second Team, running back

Gingrich pictured with his Hall of Fame plaque alongside his family, including his wife Angie (back right) and daughters Lia and Ali. PHOTO BY REBECCA LYN DAVIS

-All-NICL Conference Honorable Mention, basketball

-School record holder for 100-meter dash (until broken)

-Dick Ballheim Senior Student-Athlete Award

After high school, Gingrich attended Buena Vista University where he played four years as a member of the BVU Beavers football team. While at BVU, he was coached for two years by legendary past Union football coach Joe Hadachek.

This past August, Coach Hadachek posted to social media regarding his former player’s Hall of Fame selection, writing, “Congrats to all in the class of 2025 HOF! Big shout to leader Garrett Gingrich, standout football player for the U and later at Buena Vista University. He has made us all proud serving as a Colonel in the US Army.”

During his Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, Gingrich, left, is congratulated by Union High School Principal Jason Toenges, right, while his wife and daughters look on. PHOTO BY REBECCA LYN DAVIS

For the past 27 years, Colonel Gingrich has served with the Iowa Army National Guard. He is currently the Director of Operations Plans, and Training for the Guard. He has deployed four separate times during his military career – including to Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Qatar – serving as a Combat Medic, Infantry Platoon Leader, Company Commander, and Battalion Commander.

More recently, Gingrich graduated from the U.S. Army War College with a Master of Strategic Studies (MSS) degree.

For the past 17 years, Gingrich has been a firefighter with Waterloo Fire Rescue where he has served as a Firefighter/Paramedic, Medical Officer, and Fire Lieutenant. Currently, he is a Fire Lieutenant assigned to Station No. 2 on La Porte Road.

During his Hall of Fame induction ceremony Monday evening, Gingrich was accompanied by his wife Angie and their two daughters, Lia and Ali. While Gingrich grew up in Dysart, he and his family reside in Waterloo.

The newspaper is printing in full below Gringrich’s stirring acceptance speech.

“Thank you to Union High School for this incredible honor. Thank you to Lindsay Pipho and anyone else who may have nominated me. I loved my time at Union High School and it propelled me to go on and continue to strive for achievement.”

“I had some really outstanding teachers, coaches, and teammates that I had the opportunity to work with. Many of my high school classmates are lifelong friends that I still communicate with. The athletics were how we bonded and really got to know each other well.”

“I really want to dedicate this honor to my Dad, Craig Gingrich. He was my biggest fan and the man I’ve most modeled my life after. He ingrained hard work, character, and integrity into how we lead our lives. He passed away last year, but I know his life not only left a lasting legacy on my family, but also here at Union High School where he was a teacher for many years.”

“Thanks again for the honor.”

2025 Hall of Fame recipients

In addition to Gingrich, Union’s 2025 Hall of Fame honorees include Tim Mitchell (Coach/Sponsor); 2015 Knights Wrestling (Team/Group); Max Thomsen (Individual); and Rex and Judy Raub (Friends of Union High School). The Raubs were also recently recognized in front of an ‘overflow crowd’ during the Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, Union v. Gladbrook-Reinbeck basketball games. Per the Union Booster Club, the Raubs have been supporters of Union for decades and in many different areas.