Iowa State University Athletics
Iowa State Adds Six to Athletics Hall of Fame
09.25.2026 | Athletics
AMES, Iowa – Six former Cyclone athletes were bestowed the highest honor by the Iowa State Athletics Department Friday night at the Sukup End Zone Club. Chris Baker (men's golf), Christina Hillman (women's track & field), Lawrence Hunt (football), Edward Kemboi (men's track & field/cross country), Georges Niang (men's basketball) and Jay Schindler (men's swimming & diving) received their Hall of Fame rings as members of the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
Due to visa complications, Kemboi was unable to attend the ceremony and will celebrate his enshrinement at a later class induction.
Baker has not had the opportunity to get back to his alma mater recently, but he has a good excuse.
ISU's first All-American golfer gave up full-time competitive golf a year ago, wrapping up an extraordinary professional career where he became the first and only Cyclone to earn PGA Tour Card.
Golf has kept him extremely busy and Baker admits his Hall of Fame induction was the perfect time to return to the school he loves.
"I'm honored and privileged and I can't explain how awesome this is," Baker said. "Iowa State has been monumental and instrumental in my career, and I owe Iowa State for everything. It's a family. I cherished my moments at Iowa State and I'm still a big fan."
Tonight's induction was the 29th Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame class. Two inductees were first-ballot recipients (Georges Niang and Christina Hillman).
You could argue that Hillman had one of the greatest individual seasons in Cyclone women's track & field history, when in 2014, she won two Big 12 and two NCAA shot put titles, sweeping the events in both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
Despite her amazing accolades, she was stunned when ISU Athletics Director told her the great news.
"I didn't expect this honor so soon," Hillman admitted. "The fact that I was voted in 10 years out means a lot to me. I love my school. I love Iowa State. It's such an honor and I am extremely grateful."
A total of 222 athletes/administrators have been enshrined into the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame, which was established in 1997.
Chris Baker (2005-2008) – Men's Golf
- First Cyclone All-American golfer- HM by Ping (2008)
- First Team All-Big 12 (2008)
- First Team All-Region - Ping (2008)
- Iowa State Male Athlete of the Year (2008)
- NCAA Regional qualifier (2008)
- Big 12 All-Tournament Team (2005)
- Shares school record for top-10 finishes in a season with eight (2008)
- Ranks fourth with 17 career top-10 finishes
- First and only Cyclone to earn PGA Tour Card (2019-21)
- Made 16 cuts and $508,927 in career earnings on the PGA Tour
- Tied for 26th at the U.S. Open, the best finish by a Cyclone in a major (2021)
- Won four professional events and amassed $1.4 million in career earnings
Christina Hillman (2012-2016) – Women's Track & Field
- Two-time NCAA Champion in the shot put (2014- indoor; 2014- outdoor)
- Seven-time All-American (2013-16)
- Three-time Big 12 Champion (2014, 2016)
- Owns shot put school records in both indoor (59-6.75) and outdoor (58-2)
- Two-time CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American (2015-16)
- Big 12 Track & Field Scholar Athlete of the Year (2014)
- Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year (2014)
- CoSIDA Women's Track and Field Academic All-American of the Year (2016)
- Finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award (2016)
- Fifth in the shot put at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championship (2014)
- Inducted into the Delaware Sports Hall of Fame (2023)
Lawrence "Big Daddy" Hunt (1971-1973) – Football
- Three-time All-Big Eight selection (1971-73)
- First Team All-Big Eight (1973)
- Sophomore All-American (1971)
- Eighth-most career tackles in school history in just three seasons with 334
- Second-most tackles in school history by a down lineman
- Starter on two bowl teams (1971 Sun Bowl, 1972 Liberty Bowl)
- Posted a career-high 19 tackles vs. No. 3 Oklahoma (1973)
- Lions All-American Bowl (1974)
- Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1974 NFL Draft
Edward Kemboi (2011-2015) – Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
- Two-time NCAA Champion in the 800-meter run (2015- indoor; 2015- outdoor)
- Eight-time All-American (2011-15)
- Big 12 Indoor Championship Performer of the Year (2015)
- Seven-time Big 12 Champion (2011-15)
- Iowa State Male Co-Athlete of the Year (2015)
- Twice swept middle distance events -800m & 1,000m- at Big 12 Indoor meet (2014-15)
- Led ISU to top-20 NCAA finishes in Indoor (T9th) and Outdoor (T19th) in 2015
- Won three Big 12 Outdoor 800-meter titles (2012, 2014, 2015)
- Owns school record in the 800-meter indoor- 1:45.98 (2014)
- Competed internationally for Kenya and was a member of the Atlanta Track Club
Georges Niang (2013-2016) – Men's Basketball
- Only two-time All-American in ISU men's basketball history
- Second Team All-American – USBWA, AP, NABC (2016)
- Third Team All-American – AP, NABC (2015)
- Two-time First Team All-Big 12 (2015-16)
- Karl Malone Award winner (2016)
- Iowa State Male Athlete of the Year (2016)
- MVP of the Big 12 Tournament (2015)
- Three-time Big 12 All-Tournament team (2014-16)
- Led ISU to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Sweet Sixteens (2013-16)
- Won two Big 12 Tournament titles (2014-15)
- Second-most career points (2,228) and wins (98) in ISU history
- Most career points (148) and best career scoring average (21.1) in NCAA Tournament play
- 50th overall pick of 2016 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers
- Enjoying a 10-year NBA career with 883 career 3-pointers (2017-26)
Jay Schindler (1995-1998) – Men's Swimming & Diving
- Five-time All-American (1995-98)
- Six-time conference champion (1995-98)
- Won three Big 8/12 100 breaststroke titles (1996-98)
- Three-time CSCAA Scholar All-American (1996-98)
- Member of the 1995 Big Eight Championship team
- Led ISU to first undefeated dual season at 10-0 (1998)
- Team finished in the top-40 at the NCAA Championships all four years
- One of only two Cyclones to earn All-America honors in four seasons (1995-98)
- Set Big 12 Championship record in the 100 breaststroke- 53:24 (1998)
- Owns ISU records in the 200 medley relay (1:28:12) and 100 breaststroke (:53.24)
