Although Kent State University may not have the athletic history of The Ohio State University or Notre Dame University, the Flashes have a rich background spanning over a century. From Pro Football Hall of Famers to legacy-making athletes, KSU has seen its fair share of dominant male and female players.
That being said, here’s a list of the greatest athletes to ever wear the blue and gold over the past 100 years, from the 1920s to the 2020s.
(1920s) Les Hardy
Les Hardy was a standout athlete from KSU for his athletic ability and dedication to teaching and coaching.
Majoring in mathematics, Leslie “Les” Hardy was born in Akron and attended KSU between 1922 and 1928. During this time, Hardy lettered in and played basketball, baseball and competed in track and field. He also worked as a coach/teacher at local schools during this time.
In addition to athletics, Hardy worked as the sports editor of the Kent Stater and went on to work at the University of Akron for 40 years. Hardy also served as chairman of KSU’s 50th Anniversary Reunion Committee in 1978.
(1930s) Arthur Steiskai
Arthur “Sty” Steiskai led a prolific and unique KSU athletic career. As a Flash, he lettered in football, track, wrestling, baseball and basketball. He was a fullback and linebacker on the football field and a guard in basketball, further demonstrating his athletic prowess.
As a graduate of Westlake High School in 1927, Steiskai demonstrated immense athletic promise, lettering in football, basketball, and track. He also led his high school basketball and football teams to two state championships, both of which he was the captain of.
In 1930, he became the state wrestling champion and cemented himself as one of the top wrestlers in KSU wrestling and athletic history.
Following his graduation, he returned to Kent State in 1932 to prepare for the Olympic wrestling trials, in which he earned an alternate spot on the U.S. National Team.
(1940s) Michael Feduniak
Michael Feduniak was an athlete who earned many awards at KSU and many honors from the U.S. military.
During his time at KSU, Feduniak earned nine varsity letters in baseball, basketball and football from 1939 to 1942. Feduniak served as co-captain of the basketball team in 1942 and captain of the baseball team in 1941 and 1942.
He received an All-Conference mention in basketball and was a First-Team All-League selection as a catcher before graduating with a degree in education.
While he was invited to play football for the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers, he also had offers from the Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs and Washington Senators before signing with the Boston Red Sox in 1942. Feduniak played in 38 games and batted .264 before being drafted into WW2 as a pilot.
In addition to athletic awards, Feduniak was also awarded for his military service. He earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Air Medals, a Purple Heart and a recommendation for a Congressional Medal of Honor.
Feduniak returned to the Red Sox from 1946 to 1949 and began pursuing his master’s degree in 1948.
He then coached and taught at several schools, including Canal Fulton High School, Coventry High School, Hower Vocational High School and Hialeah High School where he helped start the school’s aviation program. Feduniak retired in 1985.
(1950s) Pennfield Tate
Pennfield Tate had a strong KSU football career, earning three letters for the team from 1950 to 1952. As a right guard, he was the first All-American football player KSU ever produced. He was selected to the first team by the International News Service, marking an incredible personal achievement and strong program success.
In the first two years of KSU’s membership in the Mid-American Conference, Tate was a major influence on the program, which would go on to make the Refrigerator Bowl just two years following his graduation.
Born in New Philadelphia, OH, Tate earned a dual major degree in political science and pre-law. He went on to have an impressive career, working in a private law practice and serving 14 years in the U.S. military as an artillery officer.
(1960s) Thurman Munson
Munson was an exceptional catcher at KSU from 1966-1968 and still holds the school’s batting average record.
At KSU, Munson was named All-American catcher in 1968 and held a career batting average of .390. Munson was drafted 4th overall by the New York Yankees in 1968.
He made his MLB debut on Aug 8, 1969, and during his 11 seasons with the Yankees, Munson was named Rookie of the Year in 1970, was an All-Star for seven years and won the Golden Glove Award from 1973-1975. When Munson was named the American League MVP in 1976, he was also named the Yankees’ team captain, which meant that he was the team’s first captain since Lou Gehrig passed away in 1941.
Munson had a career batting average of .292, recorded 113 home runs, and 701 RBIs.
On Aug 2, 1979, Munson tragically died in a plane crash during a practice flight at the Akron-Canton Regional Airport. The Yankees retired his number 15 jersey immediately following the accident.
In September of 2025, KSU put up a statue to honor Munson at Schoonover Stadium.
(1970s) Jack Lambert
Born in Mantua, OH, Jack Lambert played football at KSU from 1970-1973. While Lambert started as a quarterback, he was eventually switched to middle linebacker where he became a driving force for KSU’s defense. Lambert is often referred to as the best linebacker in both KSU and Pittsburgh Steelers’ history.
During his time at KSU, Lambert was a member of the Flashes first and only MAC football championship in 1972 and was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 1972. Lambert still holds the school record for 29 tackles in one game and 233 tackles in one season in 1972.
When Lambert was named captain of the football team in 1973, KSU won nine games, which was the best record in the school’s history until 2012. Lambert finished his KSU career with 593 tackles, the second highest total in KSU’s history.
“There are very few numbers that are retired in this program, and 99 is one of them,” football coach Mark Carney said. “As you look at sport in general, those types of things– whether they’re jersey retirements or hall of fame inductions, those are separators.”
In 1974, Lambert was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played for 10 seasons. Lambert won four Super Bowls, was named All-Pro six times, was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974 and named Defensive Player of the Year in 1976. During his 146 games played in the NFL, Lambert recorded 1,479 tackles, 28 interceptions and 23.5 sacks.
Lambert was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
“99 will never be worn here again, and probably should never be worn here again,” Carney said. “What he did on the field, and after he left here, is something that will always be celebrated.”
(1980s) Bonnie Beachy
To this day, Bonnie Beachy has the most total points in all of KSU Basketball history with 2,071 throughout her career. Beachy attended KSU from 1978-1982 and earned seven letters throughout her basketball and tennis careers.
“From the stories that I’ve heard about who Bonnie was, she was a focused and fierce competitor, just had a passion for winning,” women’s basketball coach Todd Starkey said. “[She] was a great teammate.”
During her tennis career, she lettered three times and was named the most improved player as a freshman. During her basketball career, she lettered four times, was awarded MVP from 1980 to 1983, earned Kodak All-Region team selection as a junior and senior, named team captain as a senior and she is the only woman in KSU history to have a uniform number retired.
Beachy’s career stats include 17.1 points per game, 908 career field goals, a 51% field goal percentage, 823 rebounds and 303 steals.
Beachy graduated with a degree in physical education and became a middle school principal. She passed away at the age of 57 on Oct. 13, 2017.
“In the 10 years that I’ve been at Kent, we’ve had the opportunity to do some research on her and also to honor her legacy multiple times,” Starkey said. “Her legacy as a trailblazer for women’s sports and women’s basketball here at Kent State continues to live on.”
(1990s) James Harrison
James Harrison was born in Akron and played on KSU’s football team as a linebacker from 1999 to 2001. During his final year at KSU, he recorded 98 total tackles and 20 tackles for loss.
“When you look at the history and tradition of Kent State football, the greatest teams, whether that’s the ‘72 championship team or the 2012 MAC East title team, they were always built from home,” Carney said. “These two guys are no exception, [Lambert] right down the road in Portage County and a stone’s throw in the Akron area with James.”
He was also voted First-Team Mid-American Conference. Harrison’s KSU career stats include over 200 tackles, 42 tackles for loss and 15 sacks, which was highest in the conference.
After graduation, Harrison signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2002.
During his time in the NFL, Harrison was cut by the Steelers twice from 2002 to 2003.
The Baltimore Ravens claimed Harrison off waivers in 2003, but he was allocated to the NFL’s European league, where he started in five games. After being released by the Ravens in June 2004, he secured a spot with the Steelers, where he played until 2012.
In 2013, Harrison played for the Cincinnati Bengals for one year and went back to the Steelers until he finished his last season with the New England Patriots in 2017.
Despite bouncing around from team to team, Harrison won the Super Bowl with the Steelers twice, received two Pro-Bowl selections, two All-Pro selections, led the NFL in forced fumbles in 2008 and was awarded AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. His professional stats include 811 tackles, 84.5 sacks, 34 forced fumbles, eight interceptions and one defensive touchdown.
In 2013, KSU football retired jersey number 16 in Harrison’s honor.
(2000s) Antonio Gates
Former Kent State men’s basketball player and Pro Football Hall of Famer Antonio Gates is one of the greatest athletic talents to come out of the university.
“Antonio was the most humble superstar that you could coach,” men’s basketball coach Rob Senderoff said. “He was beloved by his teammates, because he just had a humility about him.”
Gates sits at 19th on the men’s basketball all-time scoring list. The crowning moment of his collegiate athletic career was leading the team to the 2002 Elite Eight, with key wins over Oklahoma State, Alabama and Pittsburgh in the NCAA Tournament.
The team ultimately fell to the Indiana Hoosiers, but he averaged 16 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, earning himself a spot on the All-MAC Second Team.
Following the Cinderella run, Gates had the best season of his collegiate stint, putting up 20.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, which also earned him All-MAC First Team honors and an AP All-American Honorable Mention.
Following his time at KSU, Gates played 16 years of NFL football with the San Diego Chargers. He went on to secure a franchise-leading 11,841 yards with 955 receptions and 116 touchdowns over the course of his career.
He ended his career as an eight-time NFL Pro Bowler, three-time First Team All-Pro and two-time Second Team All-Pro.
Gates stands as one of the few in Kent State history to have his #44 jersey retired and hanging in the rafters at the M.A.C. Center on campus.
“Obviously an incredibly gifted athlete, to be able to do what he did was unbelievable and unprecedented,” Senderoff said. “I think he’s the only person to do what he did, but what separated him was his humility.”
(2010s) Larissa Lurkin
A sharpshooter out of Cottage Grove, MN, Larissa Lurkin stands as one of the greatest women’s basketball players to play at KSU.
As a Flash, Lurkin took the NCAA record for the most single-season free throws made with 280. She is also the KSU record holder for a single-season scoring average with 23.5 points per game. As a result, she holds the Kent State Women’s Basketball single-season scoring record with 752 points.
In her junior season, Lurkin showed immense promise by averaging roughly 14 points per game. She started all 29 games and attempted 171 3-pointers over the course of the season, with 54 makes.
During her senior season, Lurkin earned the title of MAC Player of the Year with a First Team All-MAC placement. In both her junior and senior years, she earned Academic All-MAC honors and MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete.
“Larrissa was really waiting for an opportunity to unlock her ability,” Starkey said. “That preseason [before Starkey’s first year as coach] she wasn’t chosen on any preseason teams, so she had an incredible breakout year that year, … she was fourth in the nation in scoring.”
In terms of statistics, Lurkin put up 23.5 points per game and 6.7 rebounds per game. On the season, she had 91 assists, 55 steals, and 42 blocks. Lurkin shot an impressive 84% from the free throw line on 333 attempts and put up a career-high of 39 points.
“It was great to be a part of that,” Starkey said. “To see her have arguably one of the best seasons in Kent State, not just women’s basketball history, but basketball history overall.”
With her career high in points, Lurkin became the 4th highest scoring Flash in a single game.
(2020s) Sincere Carry
2022-2023 MAC Championship winner Sincere Carry holds the title as the best KSU athlete of the current decade thus far. His team’s success over his two years with the Flashes cemented his place as an all-time great in KSU athletics.
“His competitiveness is what separated him, his work ethic,” Senderoff said. “He competed and worked as hard as anybody that I’ve coached here.”
From Farrell, PA, Carry went to Solon High School.
In his first season with the Flashes after transferring from Duquesne, Carry was named MAC Player of the Year, a member of the All-MAC First team and a member of the All-MAC Defensive Team. He scored the fourth-most points in a single game in KSU history with 42 against Ball State, including 10 3-pointers, which is also a program record.
Carry was once again named to the All-MAC First Team and Defensive Team, as well as being recognized by the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission as the 2022 Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year in his final season with the Flashes. In the 2022-23 season, his biggest success was not during the regular season, but in winning the MAC Championship and the All-MAC Tournament MVP.
Averaging a team-high 17.5 points per game and 4.9 assists, his success spoke for itself, and the team thrived with his leadership.
“His best game was probably here, at Kent on senior night,” Senderoff said. “When we won in overtime, I think he scored every point in overtime, … the competitiveness daily is the separator for him.”
Luke Nedved is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
Audrey McCarthy is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
Gage Wellman is the sports editor. Contact him at [email protected].
