A powerhouse on the golf course, Rich Bindernagel was inducted into the 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame for his achievements in golf.

He played on the men’s team from 1976-79. Bindernagel earned All-Hoosier Buckeye Collegiate Conference honors all four years and was the first men’s golfer at Bluffton to achieve the feat. He was named All-National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) District 22 in 1976, 1977 and 1978. In 1977 he was the NAIA District 22 medalist and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament in Saginaw, Mich. Bindernagel was a match and tournament medalist 21 times over his four years. During his senior year, Bindernagel was Men’s Varsity “B” President and earned the A.C. Burcky Award as the top senior male athlete.

A 1979 graduate in accounting and business, Bindernagel played professional golf for a year and a half including a time on the Space Coast Mini-Tour in Florida. Upon return to Ohio, he worked in accounting and sales before becoming the owner and president of The PAR Group, Inc for 30-plus years. Now retired, Bindernagel lives in Middleburg Heights, Ohio, with his wife Gail. They have two adult children Richard Jr. and Faith.