Best of the Best: Varsity "K" Inducts Nine New Hall of FamersThe Hollywood award season is in full swing, but Kent State University stole the spotlight to celebrate the 28th Annual Varsity “K” Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony last weekend. Nine athletes, a distinguished alumnus and an honorary Varsity “K” member were honored at the Feb. 11 ceremony in the Kent Student Center Ballroom. The Hall of Fame Class of 2006 includes Bruno Cherrier, ’75, men’s track and field; Ben Curtis, ’00, men’s golf; Mike Gilliam, ’87, men’s gymnastics; Jim Gorsline, ’56, men’s basketball and baseball; Kevin Kraft, ’94, men’s golf; Kim Kreiner, ’00, women’s track and field; Dawn Zerman-McCullough, ’00, women’s basketball; Gary Waters, men’s head basketball coach, 1996-2001; Astron Whatley, ’97, football. Fred Albrecht, ’67, a three-year letterwinner in men’s basketball during his career at Kent State, was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Educator and administrator Tom Barber, B.S. ’63, M.Ed. ’66, received the Honorary Varsity “K” Member Award for his contributions to the university’s Intercollegiate Athletics program. Induction into the hall of fame, says Denise Zehner, director of Varsity “K,” is like “going to Canton” in professional football. Each year, the Varsity “K” Hall of Fame selection committee chooses candidates from a list of nearly 300 past letterwinners. While the committee considers criteria such as records and statistics in its selection process, this top honor in Kent State athletics recognizes more than just good athletes. “We honor and celebrate the athletic and leadership talents of coaches, athletes and administrators,” says Athletic Director Laing Kennedy. “These accomplished individuals have brought dignity, honor and prestige to their families, friends, communities and Kent State University.” 2006 Varsity “K” Hall of Fame Inductees
Originally founded in 1927 by former Kent State Athletic Director Merle Wagoner, the Varsity “K” Club was developed as an organization that supported the university’s athletic programs. Since 1979, the Varsity “K” Hall of Fame has been honoring the “best of the best” in Kent State athletics at the annual induction ceremony. With the addition of the Class of 2006, a select group of 226 individuals from more than 6,000 former letterwinners, coaches and administrators, have been enshrined in the hall of fame. The plaques honoring all 226 members are located in the Varsity “K” Hall of Fame gallery on the second floor of the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.  |
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Bruno Cherrier, ’75, men’s track and field, was a three-time MAC outdoor track champion, who made his presence felt in the two years he lettered on the Kent State men’s track and field team. He was named Most Outstanding Performer at the 1974 MAC Championship tallying 28 points and taking first place in the 200 meters, as well as the 4 x 100-meter relay. Cherrier, a native of Paris, France, was a member of the 1972 French Olympic team.
Mike Gilliam, ’87, men’s gymnastics, was a two-time team captain, four-year letterwinner and member of the Kent State team that captured the Great Lakes League Championships in 1983 and 1984. A native of Toledo, Ohio, Gilliam was the National Independent Champion in the floor exercise in 1986, as well as was the Great Lakes League Champion on the floor exercise in 1986 and 1987 and on the vault in 1987. Gilliam was a two-time NCAA Championship qualifier for the Flashes and holds the school record in the floor exercise with a mark of 9.90.
Kevin Kraft, ’94, men’s golf, was an academic and an athletic standout at Kent State. He was the university’s first and only men’s golfer to receive Academic All-American honors, and was twice named a GCAA All-America Scholar. A member of three NCAA Tournament Qualifying teams, Kraft had his highest national finish in 1994, placing 13th in the country. Kraft is ranked 9th all time in career stroke average (75.26) and is tied for 7th in wins (two) for the Golden Flashes. He is currently beginning his second year on the Nationwide Tour.
Gary Waters, men’s head basketball coach, from 1996-2001, lead the Golden Flashes to MAC Tournament championships in 1999 and 2001. He guided the team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1999 and another in 2001, which included the school’s first win in the NCAA Tournament, a 77-73 victory against Indiana. Waters also took the Flashes to the NIT quarterfinals in 2000. During his five seasons as head coach, Waters compiled a 92-60 and posted the second-most coaching victories in Kent State History. Waters is currently the head coach at Rutgers, where he led the Scarlet Knights to the NIT championship game in 2004.
Astron Whatley, ’97, football, a four-year letterwinner for the Golden Flashes, has carved out his place in the record books as one of the finest athletes to ever participate in the Kent State Football program. The MAC Freshman of the Year recipient in 1994, Whatley led his team in rushing each of his four seasons. He received All-MAC recognition three times and a nod to the College Sports News’ All-America Team during his career. Ranking in the top 10 of 14 offensive categories in the Kent State record books, Whatley currently holds the records in rushing attempts 878) and net yards rushing (3,989) for the Golden Flashes.
