TGFC - Hall of Fame Members - Class of 2000
Class of 2000: Biographies
Joe Alvado
Earned five Varsity "K's" as a two-sport standout for the Flashes. Earned a pair of letters on the hardwood for the Flashes in 1952 and 1953 under coach Clarence Haerr. On the diamond Alvado was a three-year letterman and a two-time all-Mid American Conference selection as a third baseman, earning second team honors in 1952 and first team berth in 1953. Received his bachelor of science degree in business administration as an accounting major.
Bob Bader
Continued his stellar wrestling for the Flashes earning three Varsity "K's" as a member of Joe Begala's teams. He became just the third Kent grappler to earn All-American honors when he placed fourth in the 1942 NCAA Championships at 165 pounds. Following a three and a half year stint in the U.S. Army (during which time Kent had no wrestling team) Bader returned to win two more letters for the Flashes in 1947 and 1948. During Bader's career Begala's teams posted a 26-5-1 record and were ranked 12th in the NCAA following the 1947-48 season. Earned his bachelor of science degree in business administration from kent State in 1948.
Jennifer Buckley
The diminutive Buckley was a giant in the collegiate running world. She won nine Varsity "K's" for the Golden Flashes and became Kent's first four-time female All-American. She was accorded All-American honors twice each in the indoor and outdoor 800 meter events and was a semi-finalist at the distance in the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials. Buckley was an All-Mid-American conference team member in her only cross country season (1994) and was twice the MAC's 800 meter champion in track. Captained the Kent State track team in both her junior and senior seasons, set school records in both the indoor (2:04.68) and outdoor (2:03.14) 800 meter events, and was named the NCAA Ohio Woman of the Year in 1995. In addition to her exploits on the track, Buckley excelled in the classroom and was chosen to the Academic All-MAC team three times. She was twice chosen to the GTE/CoSIDA All-District IV Team and was a GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-American on two occasions as she posted a 3.97 grade point average in secondary education, math and english. She received her bachelor's degree from Kent in 1995 and earned her master of arts in English literature from John Carroll University in 1998.
Kris Ewing
Played four seasons, earning three Varsity "K's" as a member of the Golden Flash field hockey (1980-82) and was team captain as a senior. She was named Kent's Female Scholar Athlete Award winner in 1983. Graduating cum laude from Kent State with her degree in physical education, health and secondary education in 1983. Following her playing career she served as the assistant field hockey coach at Kent in 1984 and then continued her education by pursuing her master's degree in physcial education at the University of Iowa (1985). She returned to Kent and served as head field hockey coach (1985-93), guiding the Flashes to a 98-64-8 record and leading Kent to unprecedented field hockey success. Under her leadership Kent won Mid-American Conference field hockey titles in 1988,1991 and 1992 and finished second on two other occasions. Her 1991 team set school records for most victories with an 18-1-2 record. winning percentage (.905), least losses (1) and least goals allowed by opponents (6). For her efforts Ewing was named MAC Coach of the Year in 1988 and 1991. Known for her work ethic and discipline, Ewing produced 32 All-MAC players, 20 Academic All-MAC players and 14 NCAA All-Midwest Region Players. In addition she coached three MAC rookies of the year and one MAC Player of the Year.
Eric Frishette
In a collegiate golf program that features many success stories, Frishette's is one of the best in veteran Kent State coach Herb Page's golf book. A four-year letterman for the Golden Flashes from 1991-1994 earned All-MAC Conference and All-District IV Golf Team honors in each of his collegiate seasons. As a junior he was the MAC Championship Tournament Medalist and as a senior was named 1994 MAC Golfer of the Year. Frishette is one of only two three-time All-Americans in Kent State's history, earning honorable mention honors in 1992 and 1993 and second team accolades in 1994. During his Kent career he won several tournaments and posted a 74.17 stroke average in 171.5 rounds of golf. He was named MAC Golfer of the Week on three occasions and was selected to receive Kent's Merle Wagoner Award as the Outstanding Male Student-Athlete in 1994. He earned his bachelor of science in leisure studies in 1995 in political science and history and earned his BS in education from Kent in 1984.
Amy Sherry
Touted as one of the nation's top 20 high school prospects Sherry competed in the New York Empire State Games on two occasions. She had a unanimous selection to MAC all-freshmen team and was runner-up in the MAC Freshman of the Year balloting following the 1991-92 season. She earned four Varsity "K's" for the Golden Flashes and was MAC Player of the Week pick eight times, a school record during her career. Named MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Year following both her Junior and Senior seasons. One of only three players in Kent history to score more than 2,000 points in a career and one of only six to pull down more than 700 rebounds. Ranks in the top-10 in 15 individual career records categories. Also appears 14 times in Kent's individual single-season record categories. One of only three players to average more than 20 points per game for a season, led the team in scoring in both her junior and senior seasons. Named to the Basketball Times All-American Honorable Mention Team twice and was a Women's Basketball News Service All-America First Team selection in 1995. Played professionally in Greece for two seasons and earned a tryout with the WNBA's Cleveland Rockers.
Bert Weidner
Was one of the top linemen in the MAC during his career with the Flashes. He earned four Varsity "K's" on the gridiron for Kent and served as team captain in 1987 and 1988. He was named to the All-MAC first team in 1988 and earned Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention accolades that season as well. Weidner racked up 311 tackles in his Kent career, including a career-high 105 in 1986. Drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 11th round in 1988 and played in the NFL as a member of the Dolphins from 1989-1996. During his professional football career Weidner saw action at center, as well as both left and right guard spots on the offensive line.
