TGFC - Hall of Fame Members - Class of 2006
Ben Curtis
Men's Golf
A three-time All-American and four-time All-MAC selection, Curtis is one the most accomplished athletes to go through the Kent State golf program. He was a member of four MAC championship teams including the 2000 squad that finished ninth in the nation. He received numerous accolades during his time at Kent State, including: 1997 MAC Freshman of the Year, 2000 MAC Medalist, MAC Player of the Year and MAC Sportsman of the Year, 1998-2000 Academic All-MAC and 1998-1999 Academic All-District IV. Curtis was one of eight golfers selected by the GCAA to play for the 1999 United States Palmer Cup Team and later was selected to play on the 2000 U.S. World Amateur Team earning a Gold Medal. In August of 2000, following the win at the 2000 Players Amateur, he was ranked No. 1 in the World by Golfweek Magazine. He earned his PGA Tour card in 2003. And in his 13th start and first major championship appearance, he won the 2003 British Open Championship at Royal St. George’s in County Kent, England.
Bruno Cherrier
Track and Field
A three-time MAC outdoor track champion, Cherrier made his presence felt in the two years he lettered on Kent State men’s track and field team. He was named Most Outstanding Performer at the 1974 MAC Championships 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, was a member of the 1972 French Olympic team.Â
Mike GilliamÂ
Men's Gymnastics
A two-time team captain and four-year letter winner, Gilliam was a member of the Kent State team that captured the Great Lakes League Championship in 1983 and 1984. A native of Toledo, Ohio, Gilliam was the National Independent Champion in the floor exercise in 1986, as well as the Great Lakes League Champion on the floor exercise in 1986 and 1987 and on the vault in 1987. He was also named the Great Lakes League outstanding gymnast of the championship meet and as the league’s outstanding senior 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.
Jim Gorsline
Men's Basketball and Baseball
A two-sport athlete for the Golden Flashes, Gorsline, shone on the baseball diamond, as well as the basketball court. As an outfielder at Kent State, Gorsline was a four-year letter winner. And one-year captain in the 1950’s. 1957 marked his strongest year as he led the team in triples, doubles, and RBI while being awarded with the All-MAC First Team honors. A three-year basketball letter winner, Gorsline was a two-time All-MAC honoree. Gorsline led his team in free throws made in each of his three seasons, as well as pacing the team in field-goal percentage and points scored in two of the three. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he finished his career as captain of the basketball team in 1957.Â
Kevin KraftÂ
Men's Golf
An academic as well as athletic standout at Kent State, Kraft received numerous accolades during his tenure with the golf team in the early 1990s. Kraft was the first and only men’s golfer to receive Academic All-American honors for the Flashes. He was twice named a GCAA All-America Scholar. His academic success was also marked with three years on Academic All-MAC teams, as well as one year on the CoSida Academic All-District squad. A member of three NCAA Tournament Qualifying teams, Kraft had his highest national finish in 1994, placing 13th in the country. That year he also earned All-American honors by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Kraft was an All-MAC, as well as All-District IV honoree in 1993 and 1994. A four-year letter winner, he served as team captain his senior season. Kraft is ranked 9th all-time in career stroke average (75.26) and is tied for 7th in wins (two) for the Golden Flashes.Â
Kim Kreiner
Track and Field
 After beginning her career as a walk on, Kreiner ended her career as a three-time All-American in the javelin for the Flashes. She earned two MAC Javelin Championships and placed in the top five at the championships in indoor and outdoor shot put four times over her career. A member of the 2000 MAC Outdoor Championship team; she received All-American honors and Academic All-MAC recognition. Following her phenomenal career at Kent State, she has been competing on the international level with great success. An American record holder in the javelin (199-8), Kreiner was a member of the 2004 United States Olympic team and a gold medal winner at the 2003 Pan American Games. A native of Mogadore, Ohio,  Kreiner is still competing at the most elite level, earning her third USA Outdoor Championship title this year (2005).
Gary Waters
Men's Basketball Coach
Serving as head coach of the Kent State men’s basketball team from 1996-2001, Waters led the Golden Flashes to MAC Tournament Championships in 1999 and 2001. He guided Kent State 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 record and posted the second-most coaching victories in Kent State history. With the Golden Flashes, Waters coached one All-MAC First Team honoree in Trevor Huffman, and the MAC Defensive Player of the Year in Demetric Shaw. Waters is currently the head coach at Rutgers, where he led the Scarlet Knights to the NIT championship game in 2004.
Astron WhatleyÂ
Football
A four-year letter winner for the Golden Flashes, he carved out his place in the record books as one of the finest athletes to 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 Flashes.
Dawn Zerman-McCulloughÂ
Women's Basketball
One of only two players in MAC women’s history to collect 1,600 points, 450 assists, and 300 steals, Zerman is one of the most accomplished athletes in Kent State women’s basketball history. In her career she led Kent State to a 90-30 overall record, 64-7 record vs. MAC teams, three regular season MAC titles, two MAC Tournament Championships, and two NCAA Tournament berths during her four-year career. She was acknowledged individually for her league play as well …winning the MAC Freshman of the year in 1997, MAC Player of the year in 2000, MAC Championship Tournament MVP 1998, and All-MAC, Academic All-MAC, and MAC Defensive Player of the year honors three years in a row (1998-2000). A four-year letter winner and team captain in 2000, Zerman complete her senior season receiving All-American honors from three separate bodies (Kodak, Women’s Basketball News Service, and the Associated Press).
