Akron Athletics Inducts 2018 Hall of Fame Class

Varsity 'A' Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2018

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AKRON, Ohio– Prior to its Homecoming contest against Miami, the University of Akron Department of Athletics inducted the 44th Annual Varsity "A" Sports Hall of Fame Class on Saturday morning.

The Class of 2018 — Jabari Arthur (football), Kurt Davidson (baseball), Caleb Porter (men's soccer), Natalie Sako Switalski (track & field), Sinisa Ubiparipovic (men's soccer), Bill Williamson (men's golf), and Krystin Wilson Ross (women's soccer) — was introduced to the crowd during the first half of the football game. The Team of Distinction— the 1971-72 men's basketball team, the Kenneth "Red" Cochrane Meritorious Service Awardees, Mark T. and Cathy Clark, and the Mike Krino Varsity "A" Achievement Awardee, Greta Johnson (volleyball), were also honored.

To be eligible for UA's Sports Hall of Fame, nominees must meet three criteria: (1) Former Zips' student-athlete with All-American and/or All-Conference accolades; (2) Must have earned a bachelor's degree; and (3) Must be 10 years removed from eligibility expiration. Coaches and athletics administrators with 10 years of service to UA are also eligible for Hall of Fame induction.

The seven honorees expanded the total in the UA Varsity "A" Hall of Fame to 340 athletes, coaches, and administrators. In addition, there are now 41 Kenneth "Red" Cochrane Meritorious Service Award recipients and 30 Mike Krino Varsity "A" Achievement awardees.

2018 SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

JABARI ARTHUR '07 (Football) – An Honorable Mention All-American and first-team All-MAC selection, Jabari Arthur holds school records for receptions in a game (15), season (86), and career (184); and receiving yards in a game (223) and career (2,653). Arthur earned a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology in December of 2007. Following graduation, he signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. After one year with the Chiefs, he found a home with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. Arthur spent eight seasons (2008-15) with the Stampeders and short stint with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. During his time in Calgary, he appeared in three Grey Cups and was a champion twice.   In 2017, joined the coaching staff of the University of Calgary as receivers coach and offensive assistant. Arthur resides in Calgary, Canada.

"Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is an incredible honor. It is a remarkable lifetime achievement, and I am humbled by the nomination. It is special to me, because I dedicated my time and career at Akron to my father who passed away my first semester. It is also a tribute to my family and friends for their support; my coaches and teammates for challenging me; and my professors and support staff for their help. They are all a part of my success."

KURT DAVIDSON '08 (Baseball) – A two-time first-team All-MAC selection (2007, 2008), second-team All-MAC (2006) pick, and a 2007 All-Mideast Region second team honoree, Kurt Davidson started every game in his career (201). The Zips' catcher and first baseman was the recipient of the 2006 Joe Thomas Award for the highest batting average. The three-time team MVP (2006, 2007, 2008), Davidson holds the Zips' career records for home runs (41), RBI (180), and total bases (430). He also stands No. 2 in career at-bats (807), No. 3 in hits (253), and No. 3 in doubles (52). Davidson holds two spots on the single-season list for home runs– No. 2 with 12 and No. 8 with 10 home runs.   He earned his bachelor's degree in communications in 2009 and started his coaching career at Akron (2009-11). Currently an assistant baseball coach at Walsh, Davidson resides in Canton, Ohio.

"My University of Akron experience taught me so many lessons during my time. Not only did the campus change during my time, so did I. I became a better student, better player, and better person by being at U of A. Pat Bangtson, Anne Jorgensen, and Kevin O'Connor facilitated this growth. Without being a Zip and forming these relationships with my teammates, coaches, support staff, and professors I would not be the person I am today.

CALEB PORTER (Men's Soccer) – The men's soccer head coach (2006-12) for seven seasons, Caleb Porter built the Zips' program into a perennial national championship contender– finishing as the 2009 national runner-up and capturing the school's first national title in any sport in 2010 – while developing a brand of play that was attractive and attack-oriented, yet effective on both sides of the ball. seven MAC regular season championships, five MAC Tournament titles and five consecutive trips to the NCAA's Round of 16. He became the fastest in program history to reach 100 career wins, accomplishing the feat in just 126 matches, and is among the fastest all-time to do so. Named the MAC Coach of the Year six times (2007-12) and the NCAA Coach of the Year in 2009, he also a three-time Division I All-Ohio Coach of the Year. In 2011, Porter coached the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team. From 2013-17, Porter coached the MLS Portland Timbers, earning MLS Coach of the Year honors in 2013 and winning the MLS Cup in 2015, while guiding the team to two Western Conference regular-season championships (2013, 2017). A native of Kalamazoo, Mich., he resides in Hilton Head, S.C.

"My favorite memory was leading the 2010 men's soccer program to the NCAA Div. I national championship trophy. It was the culmination of five years of hard work on and off the pitch, and I couldn't have been more proud of that group. What a lot of people might not know is that team was also one of the top academic men's soccer teams in the country as well. To not only be champions in our sport but also high achievers in the classroom was just as rewarding for me, because that's what the student-athlete experience is all about."

NATALIE SAKO SWITALSKI '07 (Track & Field) – A four-time All-American in the high jump, Natalie Sako earned All-American (2005, 2006, 2007) honors three times during the indoor season and once during the outdoor season (2006). Twice she was the MAC high jump champion (2007, 2008 outdoor). A three-time All-MAC honoree, Sako owns the No. 4 indoor high jump mark and the No. 3 outdoor high jump mark in program history. In 2005, she placed sixth at the NCAA Indoor Championships. The three-time MAC outdoor champion (2005, 2006, 2007), Sako earned a bronze medal competing for Team USA at the 2006 North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Athletic Association Under-23 Championships. She was the named team's Newcomer of the Year in 2004. Sako finished her fashion merchandising degree in the fall of 2007 and served as a student assistant for the track team during her final semester. After graduation she wanted to get back into the fitness world and became a AFAA and NASM certified person trainer for three years. After that she switched careers to utilize her degree and now has worked in retail management and store operations for eight years. Sako resides in Strongsville, Ohio.

"The University of Akron was a very diverse place. Going to a school with a diverse student body helped prepare me to interact with people of other backgrounds and interests, which I didn't really experience until college. Our track team alone had people from all over the state, country and even from overseas. Our team really was a melting pot but also felt like a family. Also, as a former athlete, the qualities of hard work, discipline, and self-confidence were necessary for success just as they are for me today in the work place and as a wife and mother."

SINISA UBIPARIPOVIC '10 (Men's Soccer) – A two-time All-American midfielder, Sinisa Ubiparipovic played two seasons (2004, 2005) under Ken Lolla and one for Caleb Porter (2006) after transferring from University of Illinois-Chicago. In 2004 he started in 12 games action and scored his first goal in a UA uniform to give the Zips a 1-0 lead in an eventual 3-1 win over Ohio State. As Akron was enjoying one of its all-time best seasons with an 18-1-4 record, the 5-9 Ubiparipovic exploded for a team-leading and career-high 17 goals and seven assists to aid the Zips in capturing the MAC regular-season and tournament titles. UA then advanced to the quarterfinals in the NCAA Tournament before falling to Maryland by penalty kicks. Ubiparipovic's performance earned him first-team All-MAC and All-Great Lakes and second-team All-America on the National Soccer Coaches (NSC) team. Although scoring only seven goals and seven assists, Ubiparipovic again led UA in scoring in 2006 as UA compiled a 13-5-1 record en route to MAC co-champions. Named the 2006 MAC Player of the Year and second-team All-American by both the NSC and College Soccer News, Ubiparipovic was selected in the third round by the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer, where he played until 2011. He retired from the Indy Eleven in 2017. A native of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ubiparipovic earned a bachelor's degree from Akron in sociology and criminology. Ubiparipovic, who resides in Willoughby, Ohio, is in his first season as an assistant coach at Cleveland State.

"Coming to the University of Akron I had high expectations for myself. In the beginning, it was not easy to make my mark on the team and I quickly realized that talent alone was not enough. I had two choices, either roll up my sleeves and adapt to the demands required of me or simply get lost in the mix. I chose to roll up my sleeves and put all my energy into working hard and succeeding. Not only for myself, but for my family and teammates. Those years of hard work and dedication were the building blocks of my career and helped me transition into the professional that I became, on and off the field."

BILL WILLIAMSON '99 (Men's Golf) – As a four-year letterman during the 1995-99 golf seasons, Bill Williamson earned All-MAC honors as a player and in the classroom. He managed to achieve a 3.71 grade point average as a finance major which earned him first-team Academic All-MAC and CoSIDA GTE first-team All-District. He repeated that honor in 1997-98. As a senior, Williamson was a third-team CoSIDA GTE Academic All-American and Golf Coaches Association of America All-American Scholar. Williamson produced his best golf his junior season, compiling a career-best 73.7 stroke average. His two low rounds of 67 came both at the Old Dominion Classic, and he helped UA finish fourth at the MAC Championships that earned him second-team All-MAC accolades. He managed an average of 74.9 during his senior campaign and set the team record for most Top10 finishes in a season. He is tied for second place in most tournaments played (47). In addition, Williamson was the recipient of the MAC Presidential Award, recognizing his academic achievement. Williamson earned a bachelor's degree in finance (Magna Cum Laude) from Akron in 1999. He earned an M.B.A. in 2002 and a Juris Doctor in 2004 from the University of Cincinnati. Still an active golfer, Williamson is a five-time Cincinnati Player of the Year.
He resides in Cincinnati, Ohio.

"While at UA, I worked very hard at getting the most out of my athletic ability as well as achieving high academic success. In reflecting on my athletic career, I was always proud of my accomplishments, and I felt like I played to a very high level while representing the University. This award re-affirms that thought against the history of the University, which is very humbling and gratifying. I was fortunate to play three of my four seasons at Akron with Greg Boyette, who (in my opinion) is perhaps the best golfer to have ever competed for The University of Akron. To be able to look up to that kind of success did nothing but make me a better player and person!"

KRYSTIN WILSON ROSS '08 (Women's Soccer) – As a first-team All-MAC honoree and three-time All-MAC Academic selection, Krystin Wilson Ross is the first student-athlete from the women's soccer program to be inducted into the Akron Sports Hall of Fame. Akron women's soccer began in 2001. Wilson earned three letters as UA's goalkeeper from 2004-07. She was the second player in the program's history to be named to the MAC's first team in 2007 and was the first since 2003. She was the second player in the program's history to be named to the MAC's first team in 2007 and was the first since 2003. Wilson closed out her three-year career as the program's leader in saves (213), goals against average (1.15), shutouts (18) and wins (21). She also had high season marks of 10 wins in 2006, 84 saves, six ties, goals against average of 1.02 and seven shutouts in 2007. Wilson earned a bachelor's degree in management marketing with a minor in international business from Akron in 2008. Since graduation, Wilson has worked for Westfield Insurance where she currently serves as a business systems analyst. Wilson resides in Clinton, Ohio.

"I received an education and the support of a network to help open doors and kickstart my career. Additionally, the lessons I learned both on and off the field helped to shape who I am both personally and professionally. Hard work and time management were required to successfully navigate life as a student athlete at the University of Akron, these lessons continue to serve as a prominent part of success in my day-to-day life."

Kenneth "Red" Cochrane Meritorious Award
MARK T. '78 & CATHY CLARK – The Chairman of Canal Pointe Capital, Mark T. Clark earned an M.B.A. in finance from The University of Akron in 1978 and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. His undergraduate degree is from The Ohio State University. Mark continued his involvement with the University of Akron since his graduation, serving on the University's National Alumni Board. In 2006, he was awarded the Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Award. He is on the board of directors of First Tee Akron and the Champion's Council for the Bridgestone World Series of Golf. Mark is former president of Portage Country Club.

Cathy Clark, an alumna of The Ohio State University, has been a community volunteer and philanthropist for nearly 40 years. Her involvement includes the Summit County Juvenile Court, the Junior League of Akron, and projects targeted at helping children. A charter member of the Akron Child Guidance Women's Board, she spearheaded the Remember the Children program. Cathy was awarded the 2016 Friend of Children Award by Child Guidance & Family Solutions.

The Clarks are major supporters of the University. In addition, Mark has been instrumental in securing gifts from FirstEnergy for the University. He was also a key champion for the Alumni and Development office move to InfoCision Stadium. The couple has generously supported Akron Children's Hospital, Akron Art Museum, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, and United Way.

The Clarks are avid golfers and belong to Portage Country Club.

Mike Krino Varsity "A" Achievement Award
GRETA JOHNSON '99, '01, '04 (Volleyball) – Greta Johnson was a four-year letterwinner in volleyball (1995-98) where she helped the Zips compile a 71-56 record. The 5-11 utility player from Wellington, Ohio, could play virtually anywhere on the court. She earned UA's Most Improved Player Award as a freshman and as a team captain her senior season Johnson was presented the Coaches Award for her leadership and 3.6 GPA in the classroom. Johnson earned all her degrees at the University of Akron, a bachelor's in secondary education in 1999, a master's in higher education administration in 2001, and her JD in law in 2004. She has worked in the Prosecutor's Office for Mahoning County, Summit County, and the City of Akron since 2004. In November 2014 and 2016, Johnson was elected representative for Ohio's 35th District which covers the eastern, southern and southwest portions of Akron. Her professional experiences put her in a unique position in the Ohio House and she enjoyed tackling the various challenges. She brought a strong voice for education, women, and criminal justice to the Statehouse. She was a fierce advocate for women's concerns over sexual assault and domestic violence. However, in 2016 she resigned to accept the position of Deputy Director in the Department of Law of the Summit County Executive's office. Johnson is married and mother of two. The family resides in Akron.

"Attending The University of Akron was one of the most important decisions I made. During the time I spent earning three degrees from UA, I developed a love for the University and the City of Akron which led me to stay and build a career, a family, and a life here."

Team of Distinction
The 1971-72 men's basketball team, under the guidance of head coach Wyatt Webb, won a record-breaking 26 victories in 31 games, captured its fourth NCAA College Division Mideast Region crown, finished as the national runner-up in the NCAA Finals. The seemingly impossible dream was achieved by a veteran starting five and a strong bench that established six team records and nine individual records. Leading the way was 6-4 junior forward Len Paul, who netted 5643 points to become the all-time season scorer and the first UA player to score over 500 points twice in his career en route to first-team Little All-American honors. Joining him in the starting line-up were double-figure scorers– 6-3 senior guard Larry Quarles (13.6 ppg), 6-5 junior forward Harvey Glover (10.8 ppg), and 6-7 senior center Randy Anderson (10.6 ppg). Senior 6-1 point guard Wil Schwarzinger rounded out the line-up with a scoring average of 8.7 points per game. All five have already been individually inducted into the UA Sports Hall of Fame. While there were several last-second victories during the 1971-72 season, the biggest was a 71-69 overtime upset of Associated Press' No. 1-ranked Tennessee State in the NCAA Semifinals when 6-8 reserve junior forward Brian Westover drove the lane for a lay-up as time expired.

The University of Akron Athletics

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