The Kent State University Department of Intercollegiate
Athletics will induct eight new members into its Varsity "K"
Hall of Fame during the 37th induction ceremony on
Sept. 26.

The Kent State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced its 2015 Varsity "K" Hall of Fame class consisting of eight new members who will be introduced as part of the 37th induction ceremony on Sept. 26.

Joining the Kent State Varsity "K" Athletics Hall of Fame are Jess Bechard (baseball, 1997-2000), Julian Edelman (football, 2006-08), Kim Hamilton (women's track and field/softball, 2005-09), Kira Meixner (women's golf, 2004-08), Jermail Porter (wrestling, 2005-09), Brittney Robinson (softball, 2004-07), Nick Saban (football, 1970-72) and Tom Varner (men's gymnastics, 1983-85). The 1954 football team and 1954 men's golf team will both receive a Team of Distinction honor. Jim Phelan will be recognized as a Distinguished Athletic Alumnus. Colin MacLean will be the 2015 Varsity "K" Person of the Year, and Dennis and Sally Missimi will be this year's Honorary Varsity "K" members.

Bechard earned All-MAC First Team honors in both 1998 and 1999 and helped the Golden Flashes to a MAC regular season championship in 2000. He was also named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-Mideast Region Second Team in 1998 and 1999. Bechard finished his career as Kent State's all-time leader in hits, runs scored, runs batted in and total bases. He is still the Golden Flashes' career leader in doubles.

Edelman was a three-year starting quarterback at Kent State and a captain on the 2008 team. He still holds Kent State’s single-season record for total yards (3,190) and is among the Golden Flashes' career leaders in both passing yards (4,997) and rushing yards (2,483). The New England Patriots chose Edelman in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Over the last two seasons, Edelman has caught 197 passes for the Patriots, helping New England to a Super Bowl XLIX victory this past February.

Hamilton was a two-sport standout in softball and track and field. In softball, she was named to the All-MAC First Team in 2006 and 2007. Hamilton was a part of MAC tournament title teams in 2006 and 2008, which included an appearance in the NCAA Regional finals. She is Kent State's career leader in runs scored and is among career leaders in home runs and stolen bases. She then went on to become a MAC Champion in javelin and an All-American after placing fifth in NCAA Track and Field Championships. Still competing today, she finished third at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.

Meixner was a key member of four MAC Championship-winning teams (2005-08), earning MAC Golfer of the Year honors in 2008. The Medalist at the 2007 MAC Championships, she was a three-time member of the MAC All-Tournament Team and was a four-time Golf Coaches Association of America All-American Scholar. Meixner earned second-team Academic All-District honors in 2008. She is third in career tournament wins at Kent State (4) and had 13 Top-10 finishes.

Porter became Kent State's first All-American in 23 years, placing sixth at the NCAA Championships in 2009. He also was a MAC champion and MAC Wrestler of the Year in 2009, helping the Golden Flashes to a conference regular season title. Porter was named MAC Freshman of the Year in 2006 and earned a spot on the Amateur News Freshman All-America Team. He was a four-time MAC finalist and a three-time qualifier for the NCAA Championships. Porter ranks in Kent State's Top 10 for career wins and pins.

Robinson helped the Kent State softball team to three MAC East Championships, a MAC regular season title and a MAC tournament crown as both a pitcher and key hitter in the lineup. A two-time All-MAC First Team selection, she was named MAC Pitcher of the Year and MAC Tournament MVP in 2006. Robinson holds both the Kent State and MAC records for most strikeouts in a season (423). She also holds the Kent State record for wins in a season with 31. After her college career, Robinson competed for the Akron Racers.

Saban was a member of the 1972 MAC champion football team as a safety. He earned three letters in football (1970-72) and one in baseball (1972). Saban was a graduate assistant coach and defensive assistant for the Golden Flashes from 1973-76. In his first head coaching job at Toledo, Saban led the Rockets to a MAC championship in 1990. He went on to coach Michigan State, LSU, Alabama and the Miami Dolphins. As a head coach, Saban has won four national championships and two AP National Coach of the Year honors.

Varner was a three-time Great Lakes League champion in 1984 in the pommel horse, rings and the all-around. He was a three-time letter winner and captain on the 1985 team. Varner was the team's most valuable gymnast in 1984 and 1985, helping the Golden Flashes to a pair of Great Lakes team titles.

The 1954 football team will receive a Team of Distinction award. Coached by Trevor Rees, the Golden Flashes went 8-1 during the regular season and played in the program's first bowl game (Refrigerator Bowl). The 1954 men's golf team will also be getting the Team of Distinction award after becoming the Golden Flashes' first team to advance to the NCAA Championships.

Longtime residents of Kent, Ohio, and supporters of Kent State athletics, Dennis and Sally Missimi are this year's Honorary Varsity "K" members. Dennis is a major with the Portage County Sherriff's Office, and Sally has worked as a community benefit director for Summa Health System. Sally has three degrees from Kent State, including a Ph.D. in 2007. Dennis and Sally are Kent State football and basketball season ticket holders and rarely miss an opportunity to see the Golden Flashes in action. Their loyalty and generosity to Kent State has made a significant impact in the lives of many student-athletes.

Phelan, who passed away earlier this year, will be honored with a Distinguished Alumnus award. Phelan was a 1965 graduate of Kent State and three-year letter winner on the football team. Phelan was a long-standing member of the National Athletic Development Council and the Varsity "K" Club. He gave the lead gift for the "K" locker room renovations in 2007. In 2013, he was given the Champion of Life award by the GoDaddy Bowl.

MacLean is a 1990 graduate of Kent State, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in physical education. While earning his undergraduate degree, MacLean was also a manager for the Kent State football team. MacLean currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, where he works as a graphic designer for Turner Broadcasting System Inc. MacLean is a loyal and generous supporter of Kent State Athletics and spends a majority of his time traveling across the country to see the Golden Flashes.

This year's group of eight inductees brings the membership of the Varsity "K" Athletics Hall of Fame to 299 since the original 13-member charter class of 1979. The Sept. 26 induction ceremony will be held in the Kent Student Center at 10 a.m. The 2015 class and honorees will be introduced at halftime of Kent State's football game against Marshall.

For more information about Kent State's Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, visit www.kentstatesports.com.