Mandy ('87) was the consummate student athlete, excelling on the court, field and in the classroom, paving the way for Blue Knight women's sports. She was a four-year varsity letter winner in volleyball, basketball and softball, only the second athlete in Blue Knight history to achieve such a feat. She was a standout on the volleyball team, serving as a team captain and earning several accolades, including: Blue Knight Outstanding Volleyball Player, numerous all-tournament teams and two all-conference teams. She also served as a student coach.

Mandy was also named team captain of the women's basketball team. Though she shined in every sport, Mandy was most at home on the softball field. She was a four-year starter and was voted team captain her junior and senior seasons when she was also named the team's MVP. She was a three-time allWBCC selection and two-time 1st Team NAIA All-District 22 honoree. Her senior season she was one of the best hitters in the nation with a .454 batting average and a .764 slugging percentage. She was described as graceful athlete with smooth movements, and at the same time a hard-nosed, strong competitor.

Mandy was a superb scholar athlete, earning a 3.2 cumulative GPA. She was also very involved in campus activities as a Student Ambassador Coordinator, an Athletic Committee Representative, and a member of the Student Government Association, as well as a member of the newspaper and yearbook staffs. Mandy, a 1987 graduate of Urbana University earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education/biology. She received a Master's Degree in Education (Science) from Wright State University in 1998.

Mandy is currently in her 18th year of teaching. She taught science at Urbana Junior High School for nine years and for the past nine years she has taught biology and biotechnology at Kettering Fairmont High School. Mandy received the KOTA (Kettering Outstanding Teacher Award) in 2001, which was voted on by her peers. She coached volleyball and basketball for seven years, and softball for 17 years. She recently retired from coaching, but is still involved with softball camps. Mandy's softball success continued after she graduated from Urbana. She played several years of competitive slow pitch softball and was named an AllAmerican in ASA Class A slow pitch softball in 1992 and again in 1998. She was also named the home run champion in the national tournament of 1998.

Her parents are Gary VanDyke of Jamestown, Ohio and Sharon VanDyke of Centerville, Ohio. Mandy is also very fortunate to have several very special friends in her life. Urbana University is pleased to induct Amanda VanDyke in the 12th class as the 23rd member of the Blue Knight Hall of Fame.