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
The Varsity K Person of the Year award was established in 1987 in recognition of significant and long-standing contributions of time, effort, and talent to the improvement and continued success of Kent State Athletics.
2024: Nicole and Michael Awad
Nicole and Michael Awad have been a cornerstone of the Kent State Athletics community for years, exemplifying unwavering support, generosity and a genuine passion for student-athletes’ success. Providing countless catered meals for all the athletic programs, as well as philanthropic support, they both have become an integral part of the athletic community. They have always taken joy in interacting with the student-athletes, watching them grow and supporting their journeys.
2023: Cliff Ragin
A veteran of Kent State Athletics, Cliff Ragin joined the equipment staff in 2002. In his current role as assistant athletic director, equipment services, Ragin provides leadership to all the equipment services staff and oversees daily operations.
2022: Kathy Wilson, Ph.D.
Dr. Kathy Wilson has been a professor of economics at Kent State since 1996 and has been the chair of the economics department since 2018. She recently served as the Faculty Athletics Representative until June 30, 2022. In this role, she ensured the academic integrity of intercollegiate athletics, facilitated institutional control, and enhanced the student-athlete experience. She also helped ensure the athletics department have procedures in place that complied with NCAA and MAC regulations. She also signed off on eligibility requirements and reviewed all NCAA infractions. Dr. Wilson has served as a member of the National Athletic Development Council and has been a season ticket holder for football and basketball.
2020-2021: Tom Cole '72
Tom Cole, a 1972 graduate of Kent State University and former member of the Kent State Baseball Team where he was teammates with the legendary Thurman Munson. Cole worked in the retail industry after his college baseball career, working his way up to being named vice chairman in 2003 and Chief Administrative Officer for Macy's in 2009, a role held until his retirement in 2013. He and his wife Barbara have been staunch supporters of the baseball program and the renowned fashion school at Kent State. The Cole's played a pivotal role in the building of the Edmonds' Hitting Facility, the state-of-the-art indoor hitting facility utilized by the Kent State baseball and softball teams. The field inside the hitting facility is named Tom and Barbara Cole Field. Since retiring, Tom has continued to cheer on the baseball team and fondly remembers the run to the College World Series in 2012. He has also tried to model his short game after the successes of the men's and women's golf team, with less than stellar results. Currently, Tom and his wife Barbara split their time between homes in Jupiter, Florida and Harrison, New York and enjoy spending time with their three grown daughters and three grand daughters.
2019: Jack Schiller
(Bio coming soon)
2018: Barbara Donaho
(Bio coming soon)
2017:Chet Williams
(Bio coming soon)
2016: Jim "Jimmy D" Devincentis '75
Jim "Jimmy D" Devincentis graduated from Kent State in 1975 with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications/business. Inducted into the Varsity "K" Hall of Fame in 1984, he was a four-time NCAA qualifier and was twice voted captain of Kent State's swimming team. Named the Mid-American Conference's Most Outstanding Swimmer in 1975, the McKeesport, Pa., native won 13 MAC Championships (6 individual, 7 relay) and set three school and seven conference records. Over many years he has proven tremendous passion for his alma mater and the welfare of Kent State's students. Kent State's football team room was named in honor of Jim DeVincentis in 2011.
2015: Colin MacLean '90
Colin "Scolin" MacLean is a 1990 graduate of Kent State. While earning his undergraduate degree, MacLean was a student manager for the Kent State football team. He currently resides in Atlanta, Ga., where he works as a graphic designer for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. He is a loyal and generous supporter of Kent State Athletics and spends a majority of his time traveling across the country to see the Golden Flashes.
2014: Glenn Peterson '84
(Bio coming soon)
2013: Dr. Larry Disbro '71, '73 and '78
(Bio coming soon)
2012: Ron Zoeller '69
Ron was a member of the Kent State Men’s Soccer Program from 1965-1967, first as a Co-Captain at Halfback on the Freshman team and then on the Varsity squad as a starting Midfielder and Letter winner. Following graduation in 1969, he retained interest in the university and the sport of soccer.
In 1983, Ron launched a health insurance company in his hometown of Buffalo, NY which ultimately employed 700. When the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League threatened in 1998 to depart Western New York, Ron became Vice Chairman of a committee named Business Backs the Bills. That group then sold millions of dollars in suite and club seat revenue which resulted in the Bills remaining in the area.
From 2005-2017, Ron was a member of Kent State’s National Athletic Development Council. In his NADC capacity, he recognized a need at the university for enhancing its Kent State Women’s Soccer facilities. His generous gift donation to the program in 2010 facilitated field improvements and future recruiting efforts. In Ron's honor, Women's Soccer practices and games have been played on Zoeller Field since 2010.
In recognition of his support, Kent Athletics selected Ron as the Varsity K Person of the Year in 2012.
2011: Linda Kochan
(Bio coming soon)
2010: Dr. William Pakan
(Bio coming soon)
2009: Bill ('51, '56) & Pat Reppa
(Bio coming soon)
2008: Rough On Refs - ROR
A boisterous group of passionate Golden Flashes fans at most Kent State competitions, they were known for what their name is - being "Rough on Refs." Members included (but weren't limited to): Tom "Candy Man" Kot, Barry Cole, Jeff Kurtz, Dan McCombs, Bob Milliken, Larry and Peggy Shaffer, Buzz and Marilyn Starner, Heather "Super Fan" Strittmatter, and Bill Trbovich.
2007: Stan Rose
(Bio coming soon)
2006: Lorie Coll
(Bio coming soon)
2005: Tom "Candy Man" Kot '48
Tom "Candy Man" Kot enlisted in the Navy, where he trained as a radio gunner and served aboard the USS Augusta. After the war, his younger brother Leo persuaded him to attend Kent State University, where he began his studies with sophomore status. Both brothers played as offensive halfbacks on the KSU football team. During his time at Kent State, Tom played two years as a halfback and two years of baseball, excelling as a center fielder with a .333 batting average. At 28 years old in his final football season and 29 in his last baseball season, he was one of the oldest students ever to compete on KSU teams. After meeting Doris Heupel at Kent State, the two graduated and married in 1948. Tom spent over 30 years teaching physical education, industrial arts, and Ohio history at the junior high and high school levels in the Southington, Uniontown, and Plain Local School districts. He also coached many young athletes, with a particularly fondness for his five years coaching at Uniontown High School. Following his retirement in 1979, Tom became a dedicated supporter of Kent State University athletics, attending numerous events and offering unwavering support to the players. Nicknamed "Candy Man" for his habit of passing out gumballs to players, coaches, and cheerleaders at home games, he also volunteered at golf outings, banquets, and picnics, and assisted with alumni mailings for Homecoming games. Tom served as the unofficial librarian for the athletic programs, compiling scrapbooks of articles and photos documenting the careers of KSU athletes. A member of the Blue and Gold Club, he was honored with a "Friend of Kent" award in 1999 and was an original member of the Rough on Refs (ROR) Club, founded in 2001. In 2010, Tom was named one of the Grand Marshals for the Kent State Homecoming Parade, where he proudly waved from the alumni float.
2004: John & Joyce Farrell
John and Joyce Farrell pledged more than $1.5 million to benefit the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics to assist in the construction of and provide an endowment for the George L. Jenkins Athletic Academic Resource Center. In 1952, John Farrell graduated with honors from the College of Business Administration and was captain of the track team under Coach Joe Begala. Joyce Farrell graduated in 1953 from the College of Education and had a career as an elementary teacher in the North Canton City School District.
2003: Norbert "Nobby" Lewandowski '59
(Bio coming soon)
2002: Dr. Emilio Ferrara '59
(Bio coming soon)
2001: Keith "Pete" Ewing
(Bio coming soon)
2000: Judy Devine '70
Judy Devine has been a champion for student athletes throughout her career at Kent State and her commitment for equity for all continues to shape the culture and policies within the Kent State athletic department. She is considered the matriarch of Kent State athletics. Devine played five varsity sports in college, earning 18 letters, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Colorado State in 1969 with a B.S. in Health and Physical Education and earned her Master’s in Health and Physical Education from Kent State in 1970. Devine served as Kent State’s assistant coach in women’s basketball (1969-72), field hockey (1969-70) and softball (1969-70) before becoming women’s head basketball coach (1972-77), head field hockey coach (1970-80) and head women’s athletic trainer (1969-75). When the men’s and women’s athletic programs merged in 1975, Devine was selected as an Assistant Athletics Director and was elevated to Associate Athletics Director in 1978. She retired from her post as Senior Associate Athletics Director in 2000 following 31 years of service in numerous roles within the athletic department. Her Emeritus status was conferred by the Kent State Board of Trustees in 2000 as at the time of her retirement she coordinated all student athlete services including financial aid, housing, awards, academic performance, compliance and eligibility.
1999: Mike Morrow
(Bio coming soon)
1998: Rudy Bachna
Rudolph S. Bachna, born on November 26, 1928, was a pivotal figure in the development of Kent State's gymnastics program, which he co-founded in 1959 alongside his wife Janet and brother Joe. A Kent State alumnus, he earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the university. His contributions to the university were recognized with the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1974. From 1963 to 1991, he served on the Kent HPERD faculty and was Kent’s head soccer coach from 1963 to 1972. Under his leadership, the women’s gymnastics teams won over 200 meets, and he coached the Kent men’s gymnastics team for 20 years. Bachna was a charter member and one of the founders of the Great Lakes Men’s Gymnastics League. His coaching excellence led four women’s teams to state and four to MAC championships, with his teams frequently competing in regional and national competitions. He was named Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year in 1981 and 1984, and he and Janet were recognized as regional coaches of the year in 1979. His career also included national and international contributions. He served as head judge at the 1959 Pan-American Games trials and was involved in coaching and managing the U.S. Pan-American and Olympic teams from 1956 to 1970. He received a Gold Medal as the coach of the 1963 Pan-American squad and was a judge at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Along with Janet, he started the Kent Children’s Gymnastics Program in 1962. Bachna was a former advisor to the Kent Gymnastics and Weight Lifting Clubs and Phi Epsilon Kappa. Inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame in 1980, was an active in Dance Masters of America as a judge and instructor, he conducted numerous clinics and wrote extensively on gymnastics and soccer. He also directed three National AAU Championships. Even after his official coaching career, he remained involved in gymnastics, coaching at several local clubs, and continued to enjoy folk dancing.
1997: Dick Kotis
(Bio coming soon)
1996: Bill Reppa '51, '56
(Bio coming soon)
1995: Jeff Kurtz
(Bio coming soon)
1994: Bill Boliantz
(Bio coming soon)
1993: Gene Grimm
(Bio coming soon)
1992: Rich Rango
(Bio coming soon)
1991: Jay Firzlaff
(Bio coming soon)
1990: Earl "Doc" Shumaker
(Bio coming soon)
1989: Chester "Chet" Williams
(Bio coming soon)
1988: Karl Chesnutt
(Bio coming soon)
1987: Fred L. Gissendaner
Fred Gissendaner, a former Golden Flashes football player, held the position of Second Vice President of the Kent State University Black Alumni Association. Between 1970 and 1980, he also served in various roles at Kent State University, including Assistant Director of Admissions and Assistant Football Coach.
1987: Richard "Moose" Paskert
(Bio coming soon)
