Varsity K Hall of Fame Home
Hall of Fame Members | Team of Distinction | Honorary Varsity K Members | Distinguished Athletic Alumni | Rudy Bachna Award | Varsity K Person of the Year
Varsity K Awards and Hall of Fame Criteria
This award was established to recognize former Kent State University athletes who have distinguished themselves in their chosen professional field.
2024: Dr. Barry A. Franklin (’70)
Dr. Barry Franklin, ’70, competed in men’s gymnastics at Kent State and is now the Director of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at William Beaumont Hospital and a professor at Wayne State University. He serves as chair of the American Heart Association's Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism. He has held prominent presidencies in both the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the American College of Sports Medicine and penned more than 500 publications.
2023: Dave Edmonds '80
David Edmonds is a retired executive of FedExCorporation, located in Memphis, Tennessee. Edmonds spent 38 years with FedEx, and since 2005, had served as the companies top commercial officer, until his retirement in 2021. During his tenure with the global shipping giant, Edmonds was actively involved in many facets of the business including mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, and global revenue development. Under his leadership, FedEx reached a long sought objective of exceeding $100 billion in annual global revenue during the company’s fiscal year, 2020. A proud graduate of Kent State University, He currently serves on the Board of Directors at Verifyme Corporation (NASDAQ VRMY), Lumatrak Inc (NASDAQ LMTK) and WKNO, the public broadcasting network for Western Tennessee. An avid supporter of the university and athletics department, Edmonds was the lead donor for The David and Peggy Edmonds Baseball and Softball Training Facility that opened in 2014.
2022: Lois Youngen '55
A 1955 graduate of Kent State, Youngen played professional baseball during her undergraduate summers. Youngen played for the Fort Wayne Daisies before being loaned to the Kenosha Comets and played two seasons for the South Bend Blue Sox. During her baseball career, she played for Hall of Famers Max Carey and Jimmie Foxx. In March of 1952, Youngen wound up on the inside cover of Baseball Digest in a photo of her and fellow Kent State coed Bob Niemann, who later played for the Saint Louis Browns. It was one of Youngen’s most memorable moments from her days at Kent State. Youngen earned her Master’s degree from Michigan State University and in 1960, joined the University of Oregon as an assistant professor of Physical Education for Women. There she coached the women’s tennis team for five years from 1964-68. She also coached the women’s basketball team in 1966 and was the first women’s track and field coach from 1970-73. She was asked to coach the track team thanks to teaching a jog-run activity course with legendary track and field coach Bill Bowerman for eight years during the 1960s. She received her Ph.D. from Ohio State in 1971 and worked as an administrator to implement Title IX as part of the Physical Education Activity Program in 1972. She retired from the University of Oregon as Director of Physical Activity and Recreation Services in 1996 after 36 years of service. After retirement, she served as the President of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League from 2010-12 and currently serves on the Players’ Association Board. She is listed in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the Women in Baseball permanent display. Lois is the daughter of Elden H. “Ty” Youngen, who was a pitcher and captain for the Kent Sate Normal College baseball team in 1924, 1925 and 1926. In 2009, Lois helped to establish the Ty Youngen Memorial Baseball Scholarship. In 2017, she established the Dr. Lois J. Youngen Softball Scholarship.
2020-2021: Randi McKenzie '72
Randi McKenzie (then Shoham) participated in field hockey and fencing at Kent State. Her fencing coach and academic advisor, Joan Kowalewski, encouraged her to compete and was Randi's inspiration to give back to Kent State Athletics. In 2010, Kent State recognized student-athletes who competed prior to the 1972 NCAA Title-IX legislation and again served as an inspiration to give back. McKenzie established a field hockey scholarship fund and continues to play an active role as a field hockey supporter. She often meets and speaks with the team and establishes a relationship with the player that received her scholarship. She also is involved with the University College and Office of Residence Life, taking an active role and interest in low-income and first-generation students and helps to ensure their success at Kent State University.
2019: George Jenkins '63
A native of Cadiz, Ohio, George L. Jenkins came to Kent State as a football student-athlete. As a quarterback on the gridiron, he was co-captain of the team and graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Political Science in 1963. In 1966 Jenkins graduated with distinction from law school at the University of Michigan. After law school, he began a distinguished law and business career. He served as a partner with the Columbus, OH law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease from 1966 to 1971 and again from 1975 to 2006 where he focused on corporate and business law. He served as First Assistant Attorney General of the State of Ohio from 1971 to 1975. Jenkins founded DEC Investment Group (DEC) in 2007 and currently serves as its managing member. He was also the founder and major shareholder of Fleagane Enterprises, Inc., which developed, owned and operated 20 Wendy’s restaurants in Connecticut. Additionally, Mr. Jenkins raised the capital and helped found many new and emerging companies, such as Foresight Corporation, and Pacejet Logistics, Inc. He has also been active in numerous professional, civic and political organizations including the American Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association, the United Way, and the Columbus Foundation, where he chaired the Business Development Advisory Committee. Jenkins is also a former Kent State University Trustee and National Athletic Development Committee Board member. Over the years, Jenkins has been very active on the Kent campus and has supported KSU Football, KSU Libraries, the KSU Foundation, and the Athletic Academic Resource Center which bears his name. George and his wife, Gina, currently reside in Scottsdale, Arizona.
2018: Ben Rings '06
Benjamin Rings is a 2006 graduate who was a member of the wrestling team at Kent State. During his time at Kent State, Ben left school for a period of time for military service in Afghanistan. After his deployment, he returned to school and competition. Ben is a special education teacher at a middle school outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2013, Ben was featured in People Magazine, a weekly entertainment magazine, as an Amazing Teacher due to his “peer buddies” program that pairs disabled students with non-disabled students. Ben and his wife, Tanya, a Kent State graduate, currently reside in Mars, Pennsylvania.
2017: Dr. Deborah Birdwell Moore '74
Dr. Moore was a student-athlete in Gymnastics (70-72); Field Hockey (71-73) and Synchronized Swimming (70-74) before graduating with a BS in Physical Education in 1974. A long-time educator and coach she taught high school health and physical education in Delaware County where she also coached volleyball, gymnastics and track and field. She later earned my masters and doctorate in education from Ohio State. She was on the faculty at Wilmington College where she coached women’s volleyball, and work in exercise science at Furman University. Moore has worked for the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the last 29 years and is currently the Senior Director of Compliance and Sports Medicine.
2016: Norbert "Nobby" Lewandowski '59
A 1959 graduate and baseball player of Kent State University, Norbert "Nobby" Lewandowski is nationally recognized for his presentations, seminars, workshops and business coaching. His delivery of relevant topics keeps audiences tuned in and thirsty for more information. By wrapping wisdom in a package of wit, music and humor, he captures the crowd. From his career as a professional baseball player to founding one of the largest accounting firms in Northeast Ohio to his successful entrepreneurial ventures, Nobby’s life experiences, both successful and challenging, result in humbling and inspiring presentations. Ironically, his biggest personal challenge to overcome has defied conventional thinking in becoming a career public speaker! Simply stated, Nobby Lewandowski stutters. On April 6th, 1965 a turning point occurred in his life. It was on that day the managing partner of the major accounting firm who employed Nobby informed him that he would be better suited for a position that required minimal verbal skills as this person thought his flawed speech represented an “inability to communicate”. Nobby eventually left the firm and he clearly “communicated” to his boss that his “inability to speak fluently” should never be confused with an “inability to communicate”. Determined to never let his speech challenge be an impediment to his success, Nobby has become a huge success in the arena of public speaking despite being a stutterer. He helps his audience understand facing adversity and obstacles can result in building strong character and be the foundation for success. By facing his own challenges, Nobby has successfully leveraged what most would think to be a “liability” into a unique and impactful “asset”. In addition to being inspirational, entertaining and interactive, Nobby’s presentations are packed with practical, useful information. He consistently receives positive feedback, standing ovations and in some cases, individual letters from attendees illustrating how his message positively impacted lives and perspectives. He inspires confidence and composure to make the best better and motivates inner strength and competitiveness. Nobby truly proves the theory that “It’s What You Say, Not How You Say It!”
2015: Jim Phelan '65
Jim Phelan, who passed away in 2015, was the owner and chief executive officer of Phelan Insurance in Versailles, Ohio and a former Kent State three-year letterwinner football player. He was long-standing member of the National Athletic Development Council (NADC) and an active member of the Varsity K Club at Kent State. In 2007, Phelan gave the leadership gift for the Varsity K Room renovations project and has helped attain additional gifts for the project. The Lounge, located under the north endzone seating, was later renamed to the Jim and Carolyn Phelan Lounge, serves as a multi-purpose room for football, an event space, and as a hospitality area during football games. Phelan and former teammate George Jenkins '63 also gave a combined gift towards the Football Enhancement Fund for the Hall of Fame plaza in the south end of Dix Stadium. The plaza honors Kent State's football greats and includes Varsity K Hall of Fame inductees and retired jersey honorees. Phelan was also presented a Champion of Life award by the GoDaddy.com Bowl in 2013.
2014: Don Brown '77
Don Brown is Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration and CFO of FedEx Freight. He began his career in Ernst & Young's audit practice in 1977. He joined Roadway Services in 1990 as Assistant to the Vice President and Controller, and later served as Vice President of Human Resources for Caliber System. Don joined FedEx Corporation in 1998 as Staff Vice President - Controller. He also held financial management positions at FedEx Corporate Services and FedEx Logistics before joining FedEx Freight in 2001. Brown is a graduate of the College of Business Administration with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 1977 and is a former Kent State Football player.
2013: Lenard Hairston '69
Lenard Hairston who passed away in May 2021 was a football student athlete at Kent State and graduated in 1969. He was the CEO of Happy Faces Personnel Group Inc. which he founded with his son in 1995. Lenard was passionate about athletics including leading the Spartans Athletic Club to numerous basketball championships and winning multiple gold and silver medals in the United Sates Senior Olympics.
2012: Allan Kaupinen '57
Allan G. Kaupinen graduated from Kent State University in 1957. From 1958 to 1969, he worked at Procter & Gamble before joining the White House as a Staff Assistant to the President. In this role, he was responsible for staffing all Presidential and departmental public advisory boards and commissions and served as an administrative officer in the White House Personnel Office. Beginning in 1970, he also took on the recruitment, screening, and processing of Presidential appointees to Cabinet-level departments and agencies. From November 1971 to November 1972, Kaupinen served as Special Assistant and later as Regional Director on the Committee for the Re-Election of the President. After President Nixon's re-election, he resumed his role in the recruitment and processing of Presidential appointees as a Staff Assistant. In 1973, he became Assistant Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration. The following year, he was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Inverness Capitol Corporation. In 1980, he became the owner, President, and CEO of TRAC, Inc. Since May 1998, he has served as an executive consultant to TESI Mid-Atlantic.
2011: Jack Rittichier '57
Jack Columbus Rittichier (August 17, 1933 – June 9, 1968) was the highest-ranked American Coast Guard officer killed during the Vietnam War and the first Coast Guardsman killed in action during the Vietnam War. Upon his graduation from Kent State University in 1957, he had been commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force (USAF) where he was trained to fly the B-47 Stratojet. He left the USAF as a captain in 1962. Rittichier had distinguished himself in the Coast Guard as a helicopter rescue pilot, having been awarded the Air Medal in June 1967 for saving eight men from the wreck of the MV Nordmeer on Lake Huron the previous year. Lieutenant Rittichier arrived in Vietnam around March 1968 as an exchange pilot to the USAF's 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron which was based at Da Nang Air Base. He was one of three Coast Guard exchange pilots who had arrived in South Vietnam at this time. On June 9, 1968, Rittichier and three USAF crewmen took off in their Sikorsky HH-3E, also known as the Jolly Green Giant, to rescue a Marine Corps pilot who had been shot down near the border with Laos. While attempting this rescue, his helicopter was struck by heavy ground fire and exploded while attempting to land. The MVP award for Kent State University's Golden Flashes football team was named after their former captain as the Lt. Jack Columbus Rittichier Award.
2010: Dr. Emilio Ferrara '59
Emilio, known affectionately as Em or Doc Ferrara, was born and raised in Kent, Ohio, and truly lived a rich and rewarding life. He attended St. Patrick School, Kent Roosevelt High School, and Kent State University. From working at his family's grocery store, Ferrara’s Sparkle Market, and delivering newspapers for the Record Courier, Emilio learned the values of hard work, responsibility, and perseverance. A standout student-athlete in basketball and football, he earned the “Outstanding Sophomore” award while playing basketball at Kent State. After graduating from KSU, Emilio attended Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine. There, he met his future wife, Margaret Hunt, at his cousin’s wedding, where they were both members of the bridal party. They married four years later, and Emilio graduated with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. The couple moved to Cincinnati for Emilio's residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. They returned to Kent in 1968, with two of their eventual six children. Emilio established his oral surgery practice next door to Sparkle Market, building a successful practice over four decades and giving back to the community. Emilio was a highly skilled oral surgeon, a member of the International College of Dentistry, and an instructor at Case Western Reserve University. He also taught Sports Medicine at Kent Roosevelt High School. Emilio was beloved for his caring manner and sense of humor, often calming patients and parents alike. He extracted the wisdom teeth of many Portage County residents, often treating multiple generations within families. It's still common for his children to hear, “Your dad pulled my wisdom teeth.” Beyond his medical practice, Emilio was deeply involved in the community. Elected to the Kent City Schools Board of Education in 1973, he served for 32 years without taking a salary, overseeing significant improvements including the construction of Stanton Middle School and numerous renovations. The Kent School Board established the Emilio Ferrara Community Service Award in his honor, and he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Kent Roosevelt Hall of Fame. Emilio also contributed to Kent State University, providing dental care for athletes and making custom mouthguards for the football team. He had a close relationship with the KSU Golf Program through his partnership with Windmill Lakes Golf Course and Herb Page. In 2007, he made the lead gift for the Ferrara & Page Golf Training and Learning Facility, a top-tier facility nationally. Appointed by Governor Taft as a Trustee of Kent State University, Emilio was known for missing the initial call from the Governor because he was playing golf—a story that highlighted his down-to-earth nature. He also served on the Robinson Memorial Hospital Medical Staff and Foundation, hosted the first Kevin Coleman Right at Home fundraiser, and was an Emeritus Director for Portage Community Bank. Despite his numerous achievements, Emilio remained humble and family-oriented. Sunday dinners, a tradition started by his parents, were a cornerstone of family life, often including friends and guests. Emilio and Margaret cherished family vacations, whether at the beach, on ski slopes, or traveling abroad. No matter where he was, Emilio was often recognized and greeted with a cheerful “Hey Em” or “Hey Dr. Ferrara!” Sports were a significant part of Emilio’s life. He passionately followed his children’s and grandchildren’s athletic activities, offering constant support and encouragement. Emilio also loved playing euchre, a staple of family gatherings, where his enthusiasm often outpaced his skill. The euchre games with “Champ” are a cherished legacy his grandchildren continue to enjoy and pass down.
2009: John Farrell '52
John Farrell was captain of the Kent State track team before the graduated in 1952. Remember for his 2:03.2 record-breaking effort in the half mile meet with Wooster in which he complained of a pain in his leg. Upon examination it was discovered that he had run the race while suffering from a fractured tibia. His tenacity later served him well, after many years in sales and advertising he retired as Vice President of Sales from Massillon Container Corporation.
2008: Rollie Geiger '71
A 1971 graduate of Kent State University, Rollie Geiger was a standout in track and cross country, earning three letters. He majored in health education with a minor in psychology. Nationally renowned, Geiger has coached at the United States Olympic Festival and was named coach of the United States National Team for the 1987 World Cross Country Championships. He has also been a featured speaker at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Since becoming the head coach of North Carolina State's men's and women's track and field programs in 1984, Geiger has led the Wolfpack to remarkable success. The men's team has claimed eight ACC championships and finished as conference runner-up four times. The women's team has had four ACC runner-up finishes, with both teams sending athletes to the NCAA Championships every year under his leadership. Under Geiger, NC State's women's cross country team has made a record 31 NCAA Championships appearances, achieving 10 national top-10 finishes, including five top-five finishes between 1983 and 1988. The men's team has achieved 10 national top-10 finishes since 1987, including a 10th-place finish in 2011. In 2003, both squads finished in the top 10, with the women placing sixth and the men taking 10th. Geiger has coached 12 men and seven women to individual ACC cross country championships, and two women, Betty Springs in 1983 and Suzie Tuffey in 1985, to individual national championships.
2007: Christine Plonsky '79
Chris Plonsky has worked in college athletics since 1976 and is in her 33nd year at The University of Texas. She is executive senior associate athletics director/chief of staff and is UT’s senior woman administrator for Big 12 Conference and NCAA governance. She supervises staff leaders in student services (academics, career/leadership/personal development), equipment, compliance/risk management and sports medicine/health and wellness/strength performance. The latter area also includes staff experts in nutrition, behavioral health and applied sports science. Plonsky is a USA Basketball board member, a USOC Collegiate Advisory Council member and an emeritus board member of the National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame. She is past president of NACDA, NACMA and Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA). She is a past member of the NACDA Board, the LEAD1 board (formerly Division 1AD Association) and has served NCAA committees on Academic Performance, Women’s Basketball Competition and NCAA Commercialization activities. She chaired the NCAA Division I Management Council in 2003. At Texas, she was women's athletics director from April 2001-December 2017. From 1993-2017, she also supervised revenue areas in sponsorship, marketing, licensing and television. She worked in communications/media relations at Iowa State University (1979-81), Texas (1982-86) and The BIG EAST Conference (1986-90). After three years in administration at The BIG EAST as associate commissioner (1990-93), she returned to Texas in October 1993. Born in Pittsburgh and raised in Greensburg, Pa., and northeast Ohio, Plonsky earned a B.S. Journalism degree in 1979 at Kent State University, where she was a three-year basketball student-athlete, undergraduate KSU athletics media relations assistant and editor of The Daily Kent Stater. In Austin, Plonsky is a member of many University campus committees and serves as a volunteer on the University Federal Credit Union supervisory committee.
2006: Fred Albrecht '67
A former Kent State basketball player, Fred Albrecht joined UNLV in 1970 as a graduate assistant coach for the men's basketball team. After earning his master's degree in education, he became an instructor in the physical education department and later took over as head coach of the men's tennis team. Albrecht, the winningest coach in UNLV tennis history, led the Rebel netters from 1974 to 1983, compiling a record of 230-80 and achieving a program-record winning percentage of .742. His teams won 20 or more matches for five consecutive seasons and seven times overall. In 1982, his best season, UNLV finished 34-5 and featured star player Phil Agassi, who still holds the school record for career winning percentage. Albrecht, interested in administration, served as Director of Alumni Relations while still coaching and, in 1983, stepped away from coaching to oversee the university's fundraising efforts.
2005: Anthony "Tony" DeCarlo '62
After graduating from Kent State as a Golden Flash football player, Tony DeCarlo started the wrestling program at John Carroll University in 1964. During his 48 years at JCU, he coached tennis, wrestling (1964-1987), and football (defensive coordinator from 1964-1975 and head coach from 1987-1998). As head football coach, he compiled a 90-27-4 record and led the team to two NCAA Division III playoff appearances. His team won two Ohio Athletic Conference championships in 1989 and 1994, and he was named OAC Coach of the Year in 1994 and 1997. DeCarlo also served as Athletic Director and Director of Athletic Development at John Carroll.
2004: Bill Bertka '51, '54
Bill Bertka is a basketball consultant and special assistant, and a former NBA assistant coach, scout, and executive with the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Jazz. Renowned for his pioneering work in film study, advance scouting, player development, and basketball analytics, Bertka has dedicated over 50 years to the NBA, contributing to 10 championships with the Lakers, including seven as an assistant coach. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised in Akron, Ohio, Bertka's passion for basketball was ignited at the local Akron YMCA. He played for Buchtel High School, winning a city championship in 1945, before serving two years in the U.S. Army in Salzburg, Austria, after World War II. Using the GI Bill, he attended Kent State University, playing for their Division I basketball team from 1949-51. Bertka's NBA journey began in 1968 when the Los Angeles Lakers hired him as the league's first full-time scout, on the recommendation of former West Virginia star Rod Hundley. In 1971-72, under Head Coach Bill Sharman, Bertka took on an assistant coaching role, revolutionizing the game by compiling film on opponents. This innovation contributed to the Lakers' record 33-game winning streak and an NBA title, earning Bertka his first ring. In 1974, Bertka became the first general manager of the New Orleans Jazz (now Utah Jazz) and held an ownership stake through Invest West Sports. He later served as a Jazz assistant coach under Elgin Baylor in the 1977-78 season. Returning to the Lakers in 1981 under Head Coach Pat Riley, Bertka helped shape the "Showtime" era, leading the team to seven NBA Finals and four championships (1982, 1985, 1987, 1988). During this period, Bertka and Riley developed the plus-minus system, an early form of basketball analytics. Bertka remained a Lakers assistant coach for two decades, winning back-to-back titles with Head Coach Phil Jackson in 2000 and 2001. He then transitioned to Director of Scouting, serving until the 2011-12 season and winning three more championships. He continues to advise the Lakers as a basketball consultant. Bertka has twice served as interim head coach for the Lakers. His first stint, replacing Randy Pfund at the end of the 1993-94 season, saw a 1-1 record. His second, stepping in for Del Harris in the 1998-99 season, resulted in a victory over the Clippers. At 71, Bertka became the oldest person to coach an NBA game.
2003: Jim Steen '71
Jim Steen, a former swimmer at Kent State, received All Mid-American Honors for three successive years. Later he served as the swim coach at Kenyon College from 1976 to 2012, where he made history as the first coach to lead both men's and women's teams to a combined 50 Division III NCAA championships. Under his leadership, Kenyon’s swim teams secured more NCAA championships than any other team in any division or sport. The Kenyon Lords Men's Swimming Team won 31 consecutive NCAA Division III championships starting in 1980, with 29 officially credited to Steen, as he was on sabbatical for two of the victories. The Kenyon women's swim team won 17 consecutive (23 nonconsecutive) titles beginning in 1984, with 21 titles officially credited to Steen. Over his 30-year tenure at Kenyon, Steen coached over 150 NCAA champions and more than 300 All-Americans.
2002: Don Weir '36
(Bio coming soon)
