TGFC - Hall of Fame Members - Class of 2011
Joshua Cribbs
Cribbs, a native of Washington, D.C., became just the second player in NCAA history to record two "double-1,000 yard" seasons (both passing and rushing). For his career, Cribbs ranks first in the Kent State record book for completions (616), passing attempts (1,123), passing yards (7,169), rushing touchdowns (38), total plays (1,755- 5th in MAC history), total yards (10,839- 7th in MAC history), points (246) and touchdowns (41). The 2004 honorable mention All-American also ranks third in rushing yards (3,670) and has gone on to earn a pair of starting Pro Bowl nods with the Cleveland Browns.
Blanford Fuller
Fuller was the MAC champion No. 1 singles in both 1956 and 1959, while lettering for the Flashes in 1952, '53, '56 and '59. He had a stretch in 1959-1960 when he went undefeated for nearly a year-and-a-half en route to claiming titles at the Ohio State Hard Courts, Ohio State Clay Courts, Western Open Clay Courts (now U.S. Open Clay Courts Championship), Western Indoor, Western Hard Courts and Great Lakes Championships.
Martina Gillen
Gillen was named the MAC Golfer of the Year in 2001 and 2002, claiming medalist honors at the MAC Championship both years. The Dublin, Ireland native was a four-time All-MAC first team selection and the 2001 MAC and Central Regional Freshman of the Year. An NGCA honorable mention All-American in 2001-2002, she holds the school career records for tournament victories (6), career scoring average versus par (+3.26) and top 10 finishes (25), while setting the season scoring average versus par mark in 2001-2002 (+2.32).
Dirk Hayhurst
A native of Canton, OH, Hayhurst earned MAC Pitcher of the Year accolades as senior in 2003. In 2002, Hayhurst was named to the All-MAC First Team and to the MAC All-Tournament Team. A three-time MAC Pitcher of the Week honoree, Hayhurst ranks first in the Kent State career record book for strikeouts (274) and innings pitched (320.2)
Laing Kennedy
Kennedy retired this past spring after 16 successful years as Kent State's 10th Director of Athletics. During his tenure, the Golden Flashes claimed six Jacoby Trophies for women's athletic excellence in the MAC and five Reese Trophies on the men's side- including both awards in 2009-2010, a first for the department. Kent State was the top MAC school in the national Director's Cup standings for 10 of the last 11 years and 13 times overall, while claiming 95 MAC Championships (tournament and regular season) and 66 NCAA postseason berths. Individually, the Golden Flashes boasted 86 All-Americans, 29 Academic All-Americans and 274 MAC Champions.
Mike McKibben
A native of Weston, W.Va., McKibben made 141 tackles on his way to becoming a first-team All-MAC selection at defensive line as a senior captain in 1978. A second-team All MAC pick in 1976, he was also a two-time first-team Academic All-MAC honoree (1975 &1978). During his seven-year professional career, McKibben played for the New York Jets in the NFL and New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and Denver in the USFL.
Beth Obruba
Obruba was a two-time All-American, finishing fourth in javelin (171'-3") and seventh in discus (168'-11") at the 2000 NCAA Outdoor Championships. The Greensburg, Pa. native was a three-time MAC Champion that year, claiming the shot (50'-10 3/4") at the indoor meet, before going on to earn the discus (165'-0") and shot put (45'-6 1/2") titles during the outdoor season. A captain in 1998, she still holds the school record in the javelin (181'-7")
Billie Jean Smith-Goldman
Smith-Goldman earned first-team All-MAC accolades as a senior captain in 1997 after garnering honorable mention honors the previous season. The Hayward, Wis., native was a four-year letterwinner for the Flashes and was named to the MAC All-Tournament Team in 1997. She ranks fourth in school history in assists (426) and sixth in steals (267). Her 1995-1996 totals of 104 steals and 164 assists rank third and fifth, respectively, among Kent State season marks.
