TGFC - Hall of Fame Members - Class of 2002
Arthur Coolidge III
Coolidge earned six varsity "K's" for the Golden Flashes during a stellar career in track and cross country from 1966-1969. A three-time All-American, Coolidge captured cross-country honors with a seventh -place finish in 1968, and added certificates in the three-mile and six-mile events during the 1969 track season. He was the MAC three-mile champion in 1969 with a time of 13:42.4. A native of Scotia, N.Y., Coolidge earned his bachelor of science in education in 1969 and his master of science degree from the University of Oregon in 1972. Following graduation, Coolidge continued to run competitively and placed sixth in the 1971 Boston Marathon.
Shannon Gallagher
Following a four-year gymnastics career that included a Mid-American Conference balance beam title in 1994, Gallagher decided to try her hand at pole vaulting and became the rarest of collegiate athletes- a two-sport champion. She earned four letters in gymnastics (1994-97) for the Golden Flashes and was named to the All-MAC Team in 1994 and 1997. A native of petersburg, Ohio, Gallagher helped lead Kent State to three MAC team championships and became the third gymnast in conference history to compete at the NCAA Championships where she placed 23rd on the balance beam and 32nd in the all-around in 1996. She continued her collegiate athletic career as a member of Kent State's track and field team, capturing the MAC indoor and outdoor pole vault titles in 1998 and earning All -America honors in that event during the 1998 outdoor season.
Ted Harris
Harris earned varsity "K's" in track and cross country (1971,72,73) and captured All-America honors by placing third in the 880-yard dash at the 1973 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. His effort helped the Golden Flashes to a second place team finish-their highest-ever in any sport. A native of Brentwood, N.Y., he also ran legs on Kent State's MAC-champion mile relay team in 1972 and 1973 and was a member of the Flashes' 1973 MAC championship team. Harris established school records in the indoor and outdoor 880-yard events with a 1:48.9.
Dustin Hermanson
Hermanson earned three varsity letters for the Golden Flashes (1992-1994) before being drafted in the first round as the number three pick of the San Diego Padres. He was a first-team All-MAC selection in 1993 and 1994 and earned All District IV and All-Region honors in those years as well. Hermanson was named MVP of the 1992 MAC Tournament after saving three games to lead Kent State to the championship. A Springfield, Ohio, native, he was a mainstay on Kent State's NCAA-team, ERA champion pitching staff in 1993 and was a member of the three regular-season MAC-championship teams (1992-1994). In 1993 he became the first Kent State player to ever be named to the USA Baseball Team.
David Morland IV
Morland was a four-year letterman for the Golden Flashes from 1988-1991. He was named to the All-MAC Team in 1990 and 1991 and was the MAC Championships medalist in 1991. In addition, he was twice named to the All-America team as an honorable mention selection - one of only six golfers in Kent State history to be recognized on two occasions. A native of Aurora, Ontario, Morland played 128 rounds for the Flashes and posted a 75.4 stroke average for his career, including a low round of 66 during his junior season.
Michelle (Naessig) Fohl
A three-time All-MAC first-team selection (1994,96,97), Naessig lettered four times for the Golden Flashes. She was the Mid-American Conference all-around champion in 1994 and 1997 and won a total of five MAC titles. The Heath, Ohio, native was the NCAA Northeast Region all-around champion in 1997 and tied for 28th in the all-around at the NCAA Championships that season. She helped the Flashes to MAC team titles in 1996 and 1997. Naessig, who set the school all-around record with a 39.625, captured the team's bars, vault and all-around awards as a senior and was selected to receive the Janet Bachna Memorial Award in 1996. She received her bachelor's degree in human movement studies and community health in 1997.
Stephen "Mike" Nartker
A native of Hillsboro, Ohio, Nartker earned three Varsity "K's" from 1992-1995 and was a three-time All-MAC selection. The right-hander was named MAC Pitcher of the Year in 1993 and 1995 (the first pitcher in MAC history to accomplish this feat) and was named to the All-Mideast Region First Team in those years as well. He helped the Golden Flashes to three regular-season and two MAC Tournament titles and established school records for victories in a season (10) and innings pitched (103.1). He was named to the All-America Third Team in 1993 and was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 36th round in 1994. Nartker elected to return to school for his senior season and reported to the Ft. Wayne Wizards following the 1995 season. He pitched briefly for the Bisalia, CA Oaks in 1996 before returning to Kent State to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in special education.
Kim Henzler Orr
A four-year letter winner for the Golden Flashes (1987-1990), Henzler was a co-captain of Kent State's 1990 MAC and Regional championship team. The talented cathcher from Pittsburgh was a three-time first team All-MAC selection and was a two-time MAC all-academic selection. She set school career records for at bats (537), hits (168), doubles (38) and RBI (80) and still ranks among Kent State's top 10 in 10 regular season and career offensive categories. She won the prestigious Merle E. Wagoner Award in 1990 and earned her bachelor of science degree in elementary education in the same year.
Chester "Chet" Williams
Williams, a 1958 Kent State graduate, played baseball and basketball for the Golden Flashes, earning three varsity "K's" on the diamond (1955-1957) and being elected team captain as a senior. Following his playing career he joined the Kent State athletic department staff as assistant athletic director and business manager, a position he held from 1957-1968. During his tenure he was the manager for NCAA Wrestling Tournaments in 1963 and 1967 and a pair of NCAA first round regional basketball tournaments held at Kent State's Memorial Gym (MAC Center). Williams, a native of Dayton, Ohio also served as the advisor of the undergraduate Varsity "K" Club for eight years. His influence on Kent State Athletics continued throughout his more than 30-year university career during which time he served in several capacitities, retiring as associate vice president of business affairs in 1993. As director of physical plant services (1977-1991) he was instruemental in the planning and construction of the Varsity "K" Room at Dix Stadium. Williams served on the Varsity "K" Alumni Association's Board of Directors for 12 years and was honored as the Varsity "K" Person of the Year in 1989.
