Six Cyclones will enter their names into Iowa State Athletics history. These former student-athletes earned their place in the Athletics Hall of Fame on Tuesday.
Student-athletes or coaches can earn this honor by earning a varsity letter during their time at Iowa State, along with being 10 years removed from their last year of competition as a Cyclone.
“This is another incredible class of Iowa State legends. All six inductees are most deserving of this honor and the selection committee did its due diligence in the selection process,” Letterwinners Engagement Assistant Director Mike Green said.
Chris Baker – Men’s Golf
From Ames to the PGA Tour, Baker has put it all on the green to punch his ticket into Cyclone history. Baker attended Iowa State from 2005–2008. In his final season, Baker claimed the Iowa State Male Athlete of the Year, made First-team All-Big 12 and qualified for the NCAA regionals. Baker is also marked as the only Cyclone to earn a PGA Tour Card (2021).
Christina Hillman – Women’s Track & Field
Been there, done that. Former track and field athlete Hillman has found herself yet another hall of fame. In 2023, Hillman joined the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame. From the field to the classroom, Hillman dominated.
Between being a two-time NCAA shot put champion and earning Big 12 Track and Field Scholar-Athlete of the year in 2014, Hillman is known for excellence. Hillman competed for the Cyclones from 2012–2016.
Lawrence “Big Daddy” Hunt – Football
(Forever True ISU)
Electric in the Big Eight: Hunt. From 1971–1973, Hunt found himself becoming an All-Big Eight selection throughout his three years with the program. Hunt’s career high saw him tally 19 tackles against the then No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners in 1973. After Iowa State, Hunt went on to get drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1974 NFL draft.
Edward Kemboi– Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country
The keyholder of the men’s 800-meter record is Kemboi. From 2011–2015, he became a two-time NCAA champion in the men’s 800-meter, an eight-time all-American and a seven-time Big 12 Champion. Outside of Iowa State, the Kenya native competed internationally for his country and was also a member of the Atlanta Track Club.
Georges Niang – Men’s Basketball
A familiar face within the Ames community to this day is Niang. A volunteer board member for the We Will Collective, an NBA player, Niang has excelled with a court-to-community impact. As a Cyclone from 2013–2016, Niang is the only two-time All-American in program history. Niang also led Iowa State to four NCAA tournaments during his four years as a Cyclone.
Jay Schindler – Men’s Swimming & Diving
Three years prior to the dropping of Men’s Swim and Diving, one Cyclone concluded his career as one of Iowa State’s best. Schindler, who competed as a Cyclone from 1995–1998, set the Big 12 100-meter breaststroke record (53:24) in 1998. Regarding Iowa State records, Schindler holds the 100-meter breaststroke and the 200-meter medley relay (1:28:12).
These six athletes will be honored September 25 at the Sukup Endzone Club, hosted by the Letterwinners Club.
“It’s difficult to make the ISU Athletics Hall of Fame. It’s an elite group of athletes/administrators who have forged amazing accomplishments on the playing fields, and this class is the epitome of that standard,” Green said.
