The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Athletics and Varsity "A" Association Announce the 2024 Varsity "A" Hall of Fame Inductees
June 18 | Cross Country, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Softball, Track & Field, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Swimming & Diving, Hall of Fame
AKRON, Ohio - Akron Athletics and the Varsity "A" Association are pleased to announce the 2024 class of the Varsity "A" Hall of Fame on Tuesday which recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions to the University of Akron's athletic legacy.
Rachel Tecca (women's basketball), Danielle Nicholson (women's golf), Renee Vance (softball), Katie Carter (diving), Shawn Barber (track & field), Clayton Murphy (track & field), Dwight Smith (football), Domenik Hixon (football), Jodi Kest (women's basketball), Ray Acus (team doctor) the Kenneth "Red" Cochrane Meritorius Service Award, David Kosoy (football) Mike Krino Varsity "A" Achievement Award and the 2005 Akron football team make up the 2024 Varsity "A" Hall of Fame inductees.
"We are thrilled to honor these exceptional individuals and team for their extraordinary accomplishments and dedication to excellence," said Charles Guthrie, Akron Director of Athletics. "Their achievements have not only elevated the University of Akron on the national stage but have also inspired countless others within our community. We congratulate each inductee and celebrate their enduring legacy."
The 2024 Varsity "A" Hall of Fame Class:
Rachel Tecca - Women's Basketball (2009-2014):Â Tecca, a four-year letter winner, boasts an impressive resume as the Zips program leader in six statistical categories. Her career highlights include scoring 2,317 points, grabbing 1,109 rebounds, and earning MAC Player of the Year honors in 2012-13. She is also a three-time All-MAC First-Team performer and earned honorable mention All-America honors in 2013-14.
Danielle Nicholson - Women's Golf (2015-2019):Â Nicholson, the first and only individual women's golf MAC Champion in Akron history, shot a remarkable -5, 211 to claim the title as a freshman in 2016. During her career, she led the Zips in scoring in 22 of her 28 spring tournaments and finished in the top 25 twenty-six times. Nicholson also earned numerous academic honors, including being named a 2017 MAC Women's Distinguished Scholar Athlete.
Renee Vance - Softball (1983-1986):Â Vance was a key member of the back-to-back NCAA Runner-up in 1984 and 1985. In 1984, she posted an impressive 0.19 ERA and collected 76 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched. Vance was named Second Team All-American in 1985 and still holds multiple program records, including single-game innings pitched (17) and single-season ERA (0.19).
Katie Carter - Diving (2005-2009):Â Carter, an elite diver for the Zips, earned the 2009 MAC Diver of the Year Award. She set records for the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events and qualified for the Olympic Trials. Carter was also a four-time NCAA Zones Qualifier and three-time MAC Champion during her tenure at Akron.
Shawn Barber - Track & Field (2013-2015):Â Barber captured a trio of NCAA pole vault titles and was named an All-American six times during his collegiate career. He set the Canadian record with a jump of 18-10.25 and also won the 2015 IAAF World Championship in Beijing. Barber represented Canada in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Clayton Murphy - Cross Country/Track & Field (2013-2016):Â Murphy's distinguished career includes a pair of NCAA titles and an Olympic bronze medal. He won the 800-meter title during the indoor season and the 1500-meter title during the outdoor season in 2016, becoming the first United States men's 800-meter runner to win an Olympic medal since 1992.
Dwight Smith - Football (1997-2000):Â Smith was a defensive standout for the Zips, earning first-team All-American and first-team All-MAC honors. He holds school records for most interception return yards in a season (208), most interceptions returned for touchdowns (2), and is tied for second with 15 career interceptions. Smith was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2001, and returned two interceptions for a touchdown in a Super Bowl XXXVII win.
Domenik Hixon - Football (2002-2005):Â Hixon played a vital role in Akron Football's historic 2005 MAC Championship win and bowl appearance. He was named the team's offensive MVP in 2005, earned second-team All-MAC honors, and caught the game-winning 36-yard touchdown pass in the MAC Championship game. After his time with the Zips, Hixon won Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVII with the New York Giants.
Jodi Kest - Women's Basketball Coach (2007-2018):Â Kest is the all-time winningest coach in program history, compiling 179 wins in her 12 seasons with the Zips. She led the Zips to their first-ever MAC Championship and multiple postseason berths, earning back-to-back 23-win seasons.
Dr. Ray Acus - The Kenneth "Red" Cochrane Meritorious Service Award: Over 20 years as Team Physician, Dr. Ray Acus performed hundreds of surgeries and cared for thousands of our student-athletes at Akron. Dr. Acus could most commonly be seen roaming the sidelines of football or enjoying a men's basketball game. However, his passion for sports and helping our student-athletes reach their potential could be seen in his dedication to each of our sports. Dr. Acus was integral in our 2005 MAC Football Championship win. His superhero-like efforts in the 2nd half to help keep key players on the field; aided in securing our first and only MAC football championship. He was the team doctor for the men's soccer 2010 NCAA National Championship as well as over 75 MAC Championships at Akron. Dr. Acus began his career in orthopedics in Orlando FL at Jewitt Orthopedic Clinic providing care for the Orlando Magic and future HOF Shaquille O'Neal.
David Kosoy – Mike Krino Varsity "A" Achievement Award: Kosoy played guard for Akron football from 1965-67. In 1966, he broke a 42-year-old UA record by making three field goals, including a game-winning 37-yard kick against Baldwin Wallace. He also made a career-long 47-yard kick against Northern Michigan. Kosoy has over 50 years of experience in real estate and mortgage lending. Since 2006, he has been the Principal and President of New Providence Capital Management Ltd. He was Co-CEO and Co-Chairman of Sterling Centrecorp Inc. (2000-2007) and founder of the Sterling Companies (1991-2000). Earlier, he was the Principal of Brother Developments (1971-1991). He is a Director of Ashton Woods U.S.A.
Team of Distinction - 2005 Football Team:Â Led by head coach J.D. Brookhart, the 2005 Zips Football team won their first and only MAC Championship and earned the school's first-ever bowl appearance. Their historic victory in the MAC Championship game and subsequent bowl appearance in the Motor City Bowl mark a milestone moment in Akron football history.
The induction ceremony for the 2024 Varsity "A" Hall of Fame class will take place on October 4, 2024 at the Jean Hower Taber Student-Union, on the third floor. Join us for a night with legends, as we celebrate these outstanding athletes!Â
Individual tickets & full tables are able for purchase NOW! Click below to secure your spot as space is limited. We will not accept walk-ups at the door.Follow the link for tickets for the 2024 Varsity "A" Hall of Fame Event. For more information about Akron Athletics, the Varsity "A" Association and the Zips Athletic Club, visit gozips.com.
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Rachel Tecca (women's basketball), Danielle Nicholson (women's golf), Renee Vance (softball), Katie Carter (diving), Shawn Barber (track & field), Clayton Murphy (track & field), Dwight Smith (football), Domenik Hixon (football), Jodi Kest (women's basketball), Ray Acus (team doctor) the Kenneth "Red" Cochrane Meritorius Service Award, David Kosoy (football) Mike Krino Varsity "A" Achievement Award and the 2005 Akron football team make up the 2024 Varsity "A" Hall of Fame inductees.
"We are thrilled to honor these exceptional individuals and team for their extraordinary accomplishments and dedication to excellence," said Charles Guthrie, Akron Director of Athletics. "Their achievements have not only elevated the University of Akron on the national stage but have also inspired countless others within our community. We congratulate each inductee and celebrate their enduring legacy."
The 2024 Varsity "A" Hall of Fame Class:
Rachel Tecca - Women's Basketball (2009-2014):Â Tecca, a four-year letter winner, boasts an impressive resume as the Zips program leader in six statistical categories. Her career highlights include scoring 2,317 points, grabbing 1,109 rebounds, and earning MAC Player of the Year honors in 2012-13. She is also a three-time All-MAC First-Team performer and earned honorable mention All-America honors in 2013-14.
Danielle Nicholson - Women's Golf (2015-2019):Â Nicholson, the first and only individual women's golf MAC Champion in Akron history, shot a remarkable -5, 211 to claim the title as a freshman in 2016. During her career, she led the Zips in scoring in 22 of her 28 spring tournaments and finished in the top 25 twenty-six times. Nicholson also earned numerous academic honors, including being named a 2017 MAC Women's Distinguished Scholar Athlete.
Renee Vance - Softball (1983-1986):Â Vance was a key member of the back-to-back NCAA Runner-up in 1984 and 1985. In 1984, she posted an impressive 0.19 ERA and collected 76 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched. Vance was named Second Team All-American in 1985 and still holds multiple program records, including single-game innings pitched (17) and single-season ERA (0.19).
Katie Carter - Diving (2005-2009):Â Carter, an elite diver for the Zips, earned the 2009 MAC Diver of the Year Award. She set records for the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events and qualified for the Olympic Trials. Carter was also a four-time NCAA Zones Qualifier and three-time MAC Champion during her tenure at Akron.
Shawn Barber - Track & Field (2013-2015):Â Barber captured a trio of NCAA pole vault titles and was named an All-American six times during his collegiate career. He set the Canadian record with a jump of 18-10.25 and also won the 2015 IAAF World Championship in Beijing. Barber represented Canada in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Clayton Murphy - Cross Country/Track & Field (2013-2016):Â Murphy's distinguished career includes a pair of NCAA titles and an Olympic bronze medal. He won the 800-meter title during the indoor season and the 1500-meter title during the outdoor season in 2016, becoming the first United States men's 800-meter runner to win an Olympic medal since 1992.
Dwight Smith - Football (1997-2000):Â Smith was a defensive standout for the Zips, earning first-team All-American and first-team All-MAC honors. He holds school records for most interception return yards in a season (208), most interceptions returned for touchdowns (2), and is tied for second with 15 career interceptions. Smith was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2001, and returned two interceptions for a touchdown in a Super Bowl XXXVII win.
Domenik Hixon - Football (2002-2005):Â Hixon played a vital role in Akron Football's historic 2005 MAC Championship win and bowl appearance. He was named the team's offensive MVP in 2005, earned second-team All-MAC honors, and caught the game-winning 36-yard touchdown pass in the MAC Championship game. After his time with the Zips, Hixon won Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVII with the New York Giants.
Jodi Kest - Women's Basketball Coach (2007-2018):Â Kest is the all-time winningest coach in program history, compiling 179 wins in her 12 seasons with the Zips. She led the Zips to their first-ever MAC Championship and multiple postseason berths, earning back-to-back 23-win seasons.
Dr. Ray Acus - The Kenneth "Red" Cochrane Meritorious Service Award: Over 20 years as Team Physician, Dr. Ray Acus performed hundreds of surgeries and cared for thousands of our student-athletes at Akron. Dr. Acus could most commonly be seen roaming the sidelines of football or enjoying a men's basketball game. However, his passion for sports and helping our student-athletes reach their potential could be seen in his dedication to each of our sports. Dr. Acus was integral in our 2005 MAC Football Championship win. His superhero-like efforts in the 2nd half to help keep key players on the field; aided in securing our first and only MAC football championship. He was the team doctor for the men's soccer 2010 NCAA National Championship as well as over 75 MAC Championships at Akron. Dr. Acus began his career in orthopedics in Orlando FL at Jewitt Orthopedic Clinic providing care for the Orlando Magic and future HOF Shaquille O'Neal.
David Kosoy – Mike Krino Varsity "A" Achievement Award: Kosoy played guard for Akron football from 1965-67. In 1966, he broke a 42-year-old UA record by making three field goals, including a game-winning 37-yard kick against Baldwin Wallace. He also made a career-long 47-yard kick against Northern Michigan. Kosoy has over 50 years of experience in real estate and mortgage lending. Since 2006, he has been the Principal and President of New Providence Capital Management Ltd. He was Co-CEO and Co-Chairman of Sterling Centrecorp Inc. (2000-2007) and founder of the Sterling Companies (1991-2000). Earlier, he was the Principal of Brother Developments (1971-1991). He is a Director of Ashton Woods U.S.A.
Team of Distinction - 2005 Football Team:Â Led by head coach J.D. Brookhart, the 2005 Zips Football team won their first and only MAC Championship and earned the school's first-ever bowl appearance. Their historic victory in the MAC Championship game and subsequent bowl appearance in the Motor City Bowl mark a milestone moment in Akron football history.
The induction ceremony for the 2024 Varsity "A" Hall of Fame class will take place on October 4, 2024 at the Jean Hower Taber Student-Union, on the third floor. Join us for a night with legends, as we celebrate these outstanding athletes!Â
- Doors Open at 6:00 pmÂ
- Program Begins at 7:00 pmÂ
Food Provided & Cash Bar AvailableÂ
Individual tickets & full tables are able for purchase NOW! Click below to secure your spot as space is limited. We will not accept walk-ups at the door.Follow the link for tickets for the 2024 Varsity "A" Hall of Fame Event. For more information about Akron Athletics, the Varsity "A" Association and the Zips Athletic Club, visit gozips.com.
Â
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