Gates to be Inducted in MAC Hall of Fame
3/22/2017 1:29:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CLEVELAND – The Mid-American Conference has announced Kent State men's basketball alum and NFL great Antonio Gates will be inducted into the 2017 MAC Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony will take place at the Cleveland Renaissance Hotel Wednesday, May 31. Joining Gates will be Jen Brown-Mascari (Ball State, field hockey), Dwight Gardner (Ohio, wrestling), Betsy Kuhle (Western Michigan, women's tennis), Dan Majerle (Central Michigan, men's basketball) and Ron Oestrike (Eastern Michigan, baseball).
"We are honored to have Antonio Gates represent Kent State University in the MAC Hall of Fame," said Kent State Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen. "Antonio has proven to be one of the best athletes of his generation, with a lasting legacy in both collegiate basketball and professional football. Serving as the director of athletics at Kent State for the past seven years, I've had the opportunity to spend time with Antonio and witness his ability to relate to the fans of San Diego and the fans of Kent State.
"He has an infectious personality and a great devotion to assist those who are less fortunate, especially young children. He regularly volunteers his time and resources to people in need and to charitable functions, such as The Antonio Gates Foundation. This induction is truly deserving for his contribution to our league and his community."
Antonio Gates played two seasons as a power forward on the Kent State men's basketball team and finished with a record of 52-15 in two seasons with the Golden Flashes. Gates guided Kent State to their second consecutive MAC Tournament title and earned a berth in the 2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament.
During the NCAA Tournament, Gates' performances helped Kent State reach the Elite Eight as a 10-seed by upsetting 7-seed Oklahoma State, 2-seed Alabama and 3-seed Pittsburgh. Gates helped Kent State capture its first regular season MAC Championship in school history after a 24-5 overall record with a 17-1 record in the MAC.
Gates earned Honorable Mention All-American honors from the Associated Press his senior season after averaging 20.6 ppg and 7.7 rpg. Gates was a two-time All-MAC selection & ranks 16th in school history with 1,216 points. His jersey number, 44, was retired on Feb. 27, 2010, making him just the fourth Golden Flash to receive the honor.
Following his career at Kent State, Gates turned his athletic ability into a legendary tight end with the NFL's San Diego Chargers. Gates holds the all-time NFL record for touchdowns by a tight end with 111. He is one of three tight ends to ever record more than 850 receptions (897) and is the third tight end in NFL history to surpass 11,000 receiving yards.
Gates is an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, a five-time All-Pro selection, including three on the First Team, a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team (2000-2009), and was named one of the San Diego Chargers' 50 Greatest Players of All-Time. Gates is the Chargers' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, and was voted by his teammates as the Chargers' Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 for the fourth time in his career.
