Ohio Northern University inducts four into Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016-17
By Jack Jeffery
ADA — The Ohio Northern University Athletic Hall of Fame will induct four new members on Friday, Feb. 3, in a ceremony at the McIntosh Center on the ONU campus.
The inductees in the 2017 class are Ed Chessar, a 1993 pharmacy graduate and football player from Hudson, Ohio; Kristen Hancock, a 1989 electrical engineering graduate and basketball player from Aurora, Ill.; Dave King, a 1974 health and physical education graduate and baseball as well as cross-country athlete from Sidney, Ohio; and Megan (Earley) Sargent, a 2004 pharmacy graduate and volleyball player from Jamestown, Ohio.
To be inducted into the ONU Athletic Hall of Fame, one must have made great contributions to the field of athletics through their athletic performance at the University or meritorious efforts made on behalf of athletics. Nominees do not necessarily have to be former ONU students unless they are nominated as an athlete; however, they do have to have served the University for at least 12 years.
Athletes must have attended Northern at least 10 years ago and must have earned two letters in one sport or one letter in three or more sports. All nominees must have demonstrated good citizenship both at ONU and beyond and served the athletics program in any capacity that contributed to the overall program.
Ed Chessar Jr. set several records as a four-year letter-winner at quarterback for the ONU football team from 1987 to 1990. Chessar set numerous Ohio Northern passing records during his college career. By the time he graduated, Chessar established career standards for pass attempts (1,004), completions (490), touchdowns (45), passing yards (6,452), plays (1,192) and total offense (5,813 yards). He also set single-season marks for pass attempts (284), passing yards (1,846) and passing touchdowns (15). He was only the second quarterback in ONU history to lead the team in passing yards for four consecutive seasons. Further, at the conclusion of his college career, Chessar ranked second in the Ohio Athletic Conference in career passing yards, attempts and completions; third in total plays; and fourth in career touchdowns. He earned the Clyde A. Lamb Award for most Outstanding Freshman and was honorable mention all-conference.
A lifetime member of the N-Men’s Association, Chessar was a member of the ONU coaching staff for a season following his playing career. A pharmacy major who graduated in 1993, Chessar is currently district sales manager for CVS Health. He is an active preceptor for the college of pharmacy as well as a mentor to students. Chessar is a native of Maple Heights, Ohio, and graduated from Trinity High School in Garfield Heights. He and his wife, Debbie, have three children and currently reside in Hudson, Ohio.
Kristen Hancock was a basketball standout during her ONU career. From the 1985-86 through the 1988-1989 seasons, she was a four-year member of the varsity team; she was co-captain her senior year. Hancock etched her name in the Ohio Northern record books in several categories. She set the single-season mark with 104 blocked shots in 1988-89 and the career record with 312 blocked shots, which is 169 more than anyone else in ONU women’s basketball history. Hancock ranks among the best in several other ONU career marks. She concluded her career sixth in rebounds (664), 15th in field goals made (375), 19th in free throws made (162) and 20th in scoring (912 points). Hancock was a second-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection as a senior and honorable mention All-OAC as a junior. She graduated in 1989 with a degree in electrical engineering.
Hancock is currently an environmental engineer with BP Pipelines and earned a BP Innovation Honorable Mention Award for design and implementation of single hose dispensers. Hancock was featured in an article for the magazine Workforce Diversity as an up-and-coming environmental engineer. She has also remained active in athletics, participating on women’s basketball, co-ed basketball, flag football, softball and team handball leagues in Cleveland as well as Atlanta. The handball team featured members of the U.S. National Team. She has continued to support Ohio Northern athletics and is co-sponsor of a locker in ONU’s women’s locker room. A native of Cleveland, Hancock graduated from Regina High School in South Euclid, Ohio.
David King was a man for all seasons. He was a four-year letter-winner and co-captain of the ONU baseball team as well as a one-year letter-winner in cross country and manager of the men’s basketball team. His versatility was displayed on the baseball diamond. He was an NAIA District 22 All-American outfielder as a freshman in 1971 before changing positions and earning first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference and second-team Mid-East Regional accolades as a second baseman as a senior in 1974. During his senior year, the Polar Bears won the OAC title and advanced to the NCAA World Series, finishing third among all Division II and Division III schools. He led the team in hits, with 30, as a freshman, and in walks for three straight years (1971-73) as well as sacrifice bunts as a junior in 1973. For his achievements, King was the “ONU All-Sports Letterman of the Year” in 1974 and president of the Lettermen Club.
Additionally, King served in the Marine Corps from 1968-70, during the Vietnam War era. He graduated from ONU in 1974 with a degree in health and physical education, and he later earned a master’s degree from Xavier University. King has since continued to make his mark in athletics. He has coached multiple sports on the junior high and high school levels. King is currently entering his 37th year coaching high school baseball. He is coaching high school golf and junior high school basketball, as well. King is a 1966 graduate of Lima Senior High School. He and his wife, Charlene, have been married for 40 years and have four children.
Megan (Earley) Sargent established herself as an especially accomplished volleyball player during her Ohio Northern career. Sargent was a four-year letter-winner for the Polar Bears. By the time she graduated, Sargent set the school single-season record for kills as well as the career standard for both kills (1,646) and attacks (4,057). She still ranks third and fourth, respectively, in those two categories. Sargent earned numerous regional and conference accolades for her stellar play. A team captain, she was first team All-Great Lakes Region for two years and twice first team All-Ohio Athletic Conference. She was also Academic All-Region and Academic All-OAC. Additionally, Sargent was recognized as AVCA National Player of the Week and OAC Player of the Week.
Sargent earned her Doctor of Pharmacy in 2004. She is currently assistant pharmacy manager at Walmart Pharmacy in Wilmington, Ohio. Sargent also has stayed active in volleyball since graduation, participating in several leagues and tournaments. Sargent graduated from Greeneview High School in Jamestown, Ohio. She and her husband, Levi, have two children.