The University of Akron Athletics
Varsity “A” Hall of Fame Celebrates 47th Class
October 11 | Hall of Fame
AKRON, Ohio - Akron Athletics, the Zips Athletic Club and the Varsity "A" Association honored the Class of 2024 Varsity "A" Hall of Fame Inductees during induction ceremonies at the Jean Hower Taber Student Union on Oct. 5.
The following individuals and teams were inducted into the Hall of Fame:
Dr. Ray Acus - The Kenneth "Red" Cochrane Meritorious Service Award
For over 20 years, Dr. Ray Acus performed hundreds of surgeries and cared for thousands of Zips student-athletes. Dr. Acus was integral in our 2005 MAC Football Championship. His superhero-like efforts in the second half kept players on the field and aided in our last-minute victory over Northern Illinois. Dr. Acus was the team doctor for the 2010 National Champion Men's Soccer Team and 75 other MAC Championship teams for the Zips. Dr. Acus began his career in orthopedics in Orlando FL and provided care for the Orlando Magic and Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal.
David Kosoy – Mike Krino Varsity "A" Achievement Award
David Kosoy was a starting guard and kicker for Akron Football from 1964 to 1968. Kosoy broke a 42-year old record by making three field goals in a single game against Baldwin Wallace, including the 37-yard game winner. David was often called the "Golden Foot" in the Buchtelite. Kosoy graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology (1968), and received a juris doctorate from Osgoode Hall Law School. After graduating from Akron, Kosoy spent over 50 years in real estate and mortgage lending. Since 2006, he has been the principal and President of New Providence Capital Management Ltd. He was the Co-CEO and Chairman and Sterling Centrecorp Inc. and founded Sterling Companies in 1991. He currently resides in Nassau, Bahamas and is still working on real estate and development throughout the Caribbean.
Rachel Tecca (2009-2014) Women's Basketball
Rachel Tecca is one of the most remarkable players in the history of Zips Women's Basketball. She leads the Zips in six statistical categories, including our All-Time leading scorer with 2,317 points, and All-Time leading rebounder with 1,109 boards. To this day, only Len Paul and Rachel Tecca have scored 2,000 points and had 1,000 rebounds in a Zips uniform. She was a three-time All-MAC First-Team performer, including the MAC Player of the Year recipient (2012-13) and All-America honoree (2013-14). Tecca is a two-time graduate of the University of Akron, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration (2012) and a master's degree in business administration (MBA, 2014).
Danielle Nicholson (2015-2019) Women's Golf
Danielle Nicholson is the first Akron women's golfer to be inducted into the Varsity "A" Hall of Fame. Nicholson led the Zips in scoring in 22 of her 28 spring tournaments and finished in the top 25 – 26 times. She is Akron's only individual MAC Champion in women's golf, a feat she achieved as a true freshman with a 5-under par 211 total (54 holes). In 2017, she was recognized as the MAC Women's Distinguished Scholar Athlete. Nicholson is a two-time graduate of the University of Akron, graduating with a bachelor of arts in education (2019) and a master's degree in business administration (MBA, 2021).
Katie Carter (2005-2009) Diving
Katie Carter is the first diver from the Akron swimming and diving program to enter the Varsity "A" Hall of Fame. Carter set a new standard for Akron diving during her tenure with the Zips, collecting three MAC Diving Championships. In 2009, she earned MAC Diver of the Year, qualified for the Olympic Trials, and set school records in the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events. Katie graduated from the University of Akron with a bachelors degree of Fine Arts (2010).
Shawn Barber (2013-2015) Track & Field
Shawn Barber is one of the most decorated pole vaulters in NCAA history, winning three NCAA championships and earning All-American honors six times. After his time at Akron, Barber set a Canadian national record at 18 feet 10 and a quarter inches. He won a gold medal at the 2015 IAAF World Championships and competed for Team Canada at the Rio De Janeiro Olympics in 2016.
Clayton Murphy (2013-2016) Cross Country/Track & Field
Clayton Murphy is one of the most decorated Akron track and field athletes to date. Murphy won 12 MAC titles, a pair of NCAA titles and was named an All-American four times. In 2016, Murphy represented the United States in the 2016 Summer Olympics and broke a 24-year drought for USA Track by winning a bronze medal in Rio De Janeiro, USA's first 800-meter winner since 1992. He graduated from the University of Akron in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
Dwight Smith (1997-2000) Football
Dwight Smith was a defensive standout for the Akron football program, garnering a First-Team All-MAC, MAC Defensive Player of the Year and All-American selections in 2000. Smith was also a finalist for the Thorpe Award given to the nation's best defensive back. He holds school records for most interception return yards in a season (208), most interceptions returned for touchdowns in a season (2) and is tied for second with 15 career interceptions. After his time in Akron, Smith was drafted in the third round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His NFL career is often remembered for two interceptions returned for touchdowns in Super Bowl XXXVII for a victory over the Oakland Raiders. Smith graduated with a bachelor's degree in organizational supervision (2023).
Domenik Hixon(2002-2005) Football
Domenik Hixon played a vital role in Akron Football's historic 2005 MAC Championship win and bowl appearance. His 36-yard last-minute touchdown catch secured the Zips first Football MAC Championship (2005). Hixon was named the team's offensive MVP in 2005, and finished his career second in receptions with 141, third in career receiving yards with 2,092 and fourth in all-purpose yards with 3,888. After his playing career at Akron, Hixon won Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVII with the New York Giants.
Jodi Kest (2007-2018) Women's Basketball Coach
Jodi Kest is the all-time winningest coach in Akron women's basketball history. Coach Kest posted 179 victories in her 12-season career with the Zips. Under Coach Kest, Akron captured its first-ever MAC Tournament Championship and first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2014. Coach Kest had 28 players named to All-MAC teams and recorded back-to-back 23-win seasons. Coach Kest is the only Akron women's basketball coach to be named MAC Coach of the Year.
2005 Football Team - Team of Distinction
The 2005 Akron football team captured the MAC Championship under the direction of head coach JD Brookhart, the program's first and only MAC Championship. The Zips owned the second-ranked defense in the MAC and became the 31st team in NCAA to have a 1,000-yard rusher (Brett Biggs), 1,000-yard receiver (Domenik Hixon) and 3,000-yard passer (Luke Getsy) on the same team. Akron appeared in the 2005 Motor City Bowl where more than 15,000 Zips' fans witnessed the program's first-ever bowl appearance.
We appreciate all that joined us for the 47th Hall of Fame event. The 48th Hall of Fame celebration will be held the day before Homecoming 2025.
The following individuals and teams were inducted into the Hall of Fame:
Dr. Ray Acus - The Kenneth "Red" Cochrane Meritorious Service Award
For over 20 years, Dr. Ray Acus performed hundreds of surgeries and cared for thousands of Zips student-athletes. Dr. Acus was integral in our 2005 MAC Football Championship. His superhero-like efforts in the second half kept players on the field and aided in our last-minute victory over Northern Illinois. Dr. Acus was the team doctor for the 2010 National Champion Men's Soccer Team and 75 other MAC Championship teams for the Zips. Dr. Acus began his career in orthopedics in Orlando FL and provided care for the Orlando Magic and Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal.
David Kosoy – Mike Krino Varsity "A" Achievement Award
David Kosoy was a starting guard and kicker for Akron Football from 1964 to 1968. Kosoy broke a 42-year old record by making three field goals in a single game against Baldwin Wallace, including the 37-yard game winner. David was often called the "Golden Foot" in the Buchtelite. Kosoy graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology (1968), and received a juris doctorate from Osgoode Hall Law School. After graduating from Akron, Kosoy spent over 50 years in real estate and mortgage lending. Since 2006, he has been the principal and President of New Providence Capital Management Ltd. He was the Co-CEO and Chairman and Sterling Centrecorp Inc. and founded Sterling Companies in 1991. He currently resides in Nassau, Bahamas and is still working on real estate and development throughout the Caribbean.
Rachel Tecca (2009-2014) Women's Basketball
Rachel Tecca is one of the most remarkable players in the history of Zips Women's Basketball. She leads the Zips in six statistical categories, including our All-Time leading scorer with 2,317 points, and All-Time leading rebounder with 1,109 boards. To this day, only Len Paul and Rachel Tecca have scored 2,000 points and had 1,000 rebounds in a Zips uniform. She was a three-time All-MAC First-Team performer, including the MAC Player of the Year recipient (2012-13) and All-America honoree (2013-14). Tecca is a two-time graduate of the University of Akron, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration (2012) and a master's degree in business administration (MBA, 2014).
Danielle Nicholson (2015-2019) Women's Golf
Danielle Nicholson is the first Akron women's golfer to be inducted into the Varsity "A" Hall of Fame. Nicholson led the Zips in scoring in 22 of her 28 spring tournaments and finished in the top 25 – 26 times. She is Akron's only individual MAC Champion in women's golf, a feat she achieved as a true freshman with a 5-under par 211 total (54 holes). In 2017, she was recognized as the MAC Women's Distinguished Scholar Athlete. Nicholson is a two-time graduate of the University of Akron, graduating with a bachelor of arts in education (2019) and a master's degree in business administration (MBA, 2021).
Katie Carter (2005-2009) Diving
Katie Carter is the first diver from the Akron swimming and diving program to enter the Varsity "A" Hall of Fame. Carter set a new standard for Akron diving during her tenure with the Zips, collecting three MAC Diving Championships. In 2009, she earned MAC Diver of the Year, qualified for the Olympic Trials, and set school records in the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events. Katie graduated from the University of Akron with a bachelors degree of Fine Arts (2010).
Shawn Barber (2013-2015) Track & Field
Shawn Barber is one of the most decorated pole vaulters in NCAA history, winning three NCAA championships and earning All-American honors six times. After his time at Akron, Barber set a Canadian national record at 18 feet 10 and a quarter inches. He won a gold medal at the 2015 IAAF World Championships and competed for Team Canada at the Rio De Janeiro Olympics in 2016.
Clayton Murphy (2013-2016) Cross Country/Track & Field
Clayton Murphy is one of the most decorated Akron track and field athletes to date. Murphy won 12 MAC titles, a pair of NCAA titles and was named an All-American four times. In 2016, Murphy represented the United States in the 2016 Summer Olympics and broke a 24-year drought for USA Track by winning a bronze medal in Rio De Janeiro, USA's first 800-meter winner since 1992. He graduated from the University of Akron in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.
Dwight Smith (1997-2000) Football
Dwight Smith was a defensive standout for the Akron football program, garnering a First-Team All-MAC, MAC Defensive Player of the Year and All-American selections in 2000. Smith was also a finalist for the Thorpe Award given to the nation's best defensive back. He holds school records for most interception return yards in a season (208), most interceptions returned for touchdowns in a season (2) and is tied for second with 15 career interceptions. After his time in Akron, Smith was drafted in the third round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His NFL career is often remembered for two interceptions returned for touchdowns in Super Bowl XXXVII for a victory over the Oakland Raiders. Smith graduated with a bachelor's degree in organizational supervision (2023).
Domenik Hixon(2002-2005) Football
Domenik Hixon played a vital role in Akron Football's historic 2005 MAC Championship win and bowl appearance. His 36-yard last-minute touchdown catch secured the Zips first Football MAC Championship (2005). Hixon was named the team's offensive MVP in 2005, and finished his career second in receptions with 141, third in career receiving yards with 2,092 and fourth in all-purpose yards with 3,888. After his playing career at Akron, Hixon won Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVII with the New York Giants.
Jodi Kest (2007-2018) Women's Basketball Coach
Jodi Kest is the all-time winningest coach in Akron women's basketball history. Coach Kest posted 179 victories in her 12-season career with the Zips. Under Coach Kest, Akron captured its first-ever MAC Tournament Championship and first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2014. Coach Kest had 28 players named to All-MAC teams and recorded back-to-back 23-win seasons. Coach Kest is the only Akron women's basketball coach to be named MAC Coach of the Year.
2005 Football Team - Team of Distinction
The 2005 Akron football team captured the MAC Championship under the direction of head coach JD Brookhart, the program's first and only MAC Championship. The Zips owned the second-ranked defense in the MAC and became the 31st team in NCAA to have a 1,000-yard rusher (Brett Biggs), 1,000-yard receiver (Domenik Hixon) and 3,000-yard passer (Luke Getsy) on the same team. Akron appeared in the 2005 Motor City Bowl where more than 15,000 Zips' fans witnessed the program's first-ever bowl appearance.
We appreciate all that joined us for the 47th Hall of Fame event. The 48th Hall of Fame celebration will be held the day before Homecoming 2025.
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2019 Akron Zips Athletics Hall of Fame - Dr. David Axner
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2019 Akron Zips Athletics Hall of Fame - James "Dru" Joyce III
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