2025 UF Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony
University of Findlay has announced its 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame class. This year’s inductees will be former men’s track and field icon Justin Welch (’15), men’s basketball standout Frank Phillips, and women’s basketball star Kayla (Brown) Golding (’13).
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be Friday, Oct. 10 at Winebrenner Theological Seminary. Doors for the event will open at 5:30 p.m. and the induction ceremony begins at 6:15 p.m.
The inductees also will be recognized during the Oilers home football game against Hillsdale College on Saturday, Oct. 11 as well. The contest begins at 2:00 p.m. inside Donnell Stadium.
Justin Welch | 2015
Justin Welch had a storied career with the University of Findlay men’s track and field team, winning four NCAA Division II National Championships, two during the indoor season in the weight throw (2014, 2015) and two during the outdoor season in the hammer throw (2014, 2015). He was also tabbed the 2015 NCAA Division II Athlete of the Year for his efforts in 2015.
A seven-time NCAA Division II All-American, Justin was voted the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Field Athlete of the Year four times during his career. He captured the honor during the indoor seasons in 2014 and 2015 and during the outdoor seasons in 2014 and 2015 as well.
Justin also had great success in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), winning four league titles during his career. He won the hammer throw in 2014 and 2015, the discus in 2015, and the weight throw in 2015. Justin was also voted the GLIAC Field Athlete of the Year in 2015 in both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
When his career at Findlay was over, Justin held three school records. He set the marks in the weight throw, hammer throw, and discus. His records in the hammer throw (72.92m) and discus (57.02m) still stand today. His mark in the hammer throw is also the third-best in NCAA Division II history.
Frank Phillips
Frank Phillips had an incredible career as a star on the University of Findlay men’s basketball team, leading the program to four NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances (2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2006-07), four Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) South Division titles (2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2006-07), and two GLIAC Tournament wins (2003-04, 2006-07). When his career was over, Frank led the Oilers to a 102-22 record (.823).
A first team NCAA Division II All-American selection in 2006-07 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), Frank wrapped up his career with averages of 12.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He racked up 1,521 points and shot 59.5 percent (552-of-927) from the floor during his time with Findlay.
A two-time, first team all-conference selection (2005-06, 2006-07), Frank earned first team all-Midwest Region accolades from the NABC and Daktronics during his senior season. He was also voted a NABC NCAA Division II East/West All-Star during the 2006-07 campaign and was voted the GLIAC Tournament Most Valuable Player in 2003-04 and 2006-07. Frank was also tabbed a DII Bulletin All-American in 2006-07 and captured second team all-conference honors in 2003-04.
Kayla (Brown) Golding | 2013
Kayla (Brown) Golding had an outstanding career for the University of Findlay women’s basketball team and is the only player in program history to be voted an NCAA Division II All-American by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), a feat she accomplished during the 2012-13 campaign.
During her career, Kayla averaged 12.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.4 assists per game. She finished her tenure with the Oilers by totaling 1,277 points, 420 rebounds, 199 steals, and 147 assists. She also helped lead the Oilers to their best four-year stretch in the NCAA Division II era, as the team made two NCAA Division II Midwest Regionals (2009-10, 2012-13) and had an overall record of 78-37 (.678). The team also captured two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) South Division titles (2009-10, 2010-11).
A first team all-conference pick during the 2012-13 season and a second team all-league selection during the 2011-12 campaign, Kayla was named first team all-Midwest Region as a senior in 2012-13 and earned a spot on the GLIAC all-tournament team in 2012-13 as well.
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