Completed Event: Football at Louisville on September 5, 2025 , Loss , 14, to, 28
FB
Final
James Madison
14
at Louisville
28
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
James Madison Athletics Inducts 37th Hall of Fame Class
8/29/2025 9:15:00 PM | Hall of Fame, Administration
HARRISONBURG, Va. – Six former student-athletes and one long-time administrator comprise the seven-member JMU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025, which was formally inducted on Friday night, Aug. 29, in the Atlantic Union Bank Center.
The 2025 JMU Athletics Hall of Fame Class includes: women's basketball guard Kirby Burkholder (2010-2014), sprint freestyle swimmer Eva Hannesdottir (2010-2012), diver Kimberly (Helfrich) Solari Brown (2009-2013), former Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance and President Charles King (1996-2021, 2024-2025), men's basketball guard Darren McLinton (1992-1996), baseball relief pitcher Kevin Munson (2008-2010) and football linebacker Stephon Robertson (2009-2013).
Nominations for the JMU Athletics Hall of Fame can be submitted online by any individual at any time. All candidates are considered according to the Hall of Fame selection criteria.
JMU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025
Kirby Burkholder ('14) – Women's Basketball (2010-2014)
Shenandoah Valley native Kirby Burkholder stayed near home with her hometown Dukes and turned in a prolific career of individual success while leading JMU to a pair of Colonial Athletic Association titles. She ranks top 10 in JMU history in both points (ninth with 1,647) and rebounds (fourth with 929) while setting the program record for career free throw percentage (.870) and adding 216 assists, 190 steals and 46 blocks. The fourth Hall of Famer to play for JMU Hall of Fame coach Kenny Brooks, she aided the Dukes to a 109-33 record in four seasons with league titles and NCAA appearances in 2011 and 2014. Her senior squad in 2014 went 29-6 with the program's only NCAA win since 1991, a first round triumph over Gonzaga. During her sophomore season the Dukes finished as national runner up in the WNIT, while also advancing to the fourth round in her junior year. Burkholder was named both CAA and State (VaSID, Richmond Times-Dispatch) Player of the Year in 2014 and was a three-time All-CAA selection. In 2014 she signed a WNBA contract with the Washington Mystics and advanced to a nearly 10-year professional career in various leagues.
Eva Hannesdottir ('12) – Women's Swimming & Diving (2010-2012)
Eva Hannesdottir made a lasting impact on the JMU swimming and diving program in her final two seasons of college eligibility, breaking seven different JMU records before advancing to become the first and only Olympian in program history. The freestyle sprint swimmer was a two-time Mid-Major All-America Honorable Mention selection, a three-time Colonial Athletic Association individual champion and three-time CAA relay event champion. Along the way, she set seven NCAA "B" Cut times, individually in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter freestyle as well as the 200, 400 and 800 free relays and 400 medley relay. At one time, she was part of school records in the same seven events and still ranks as high as second in program history in the 100 free and 200 free relay as well as third in the 200 free and 400 medley relay. In 2011, the Dukes finished runner up at the CAA Championship with Hannesdottir individually placing fourth with 53 points scored in the meet. In her senior campaign in 2012, she was second overall with 57 points as JMU broke through with its first program title since 2001. She later became the national champion of Iceland in the 100 and 200 freestyle and qualified for the 2012 London Olympics for Iceland in the 400 medley relay.
Kimberly (Helfrich) Solari Brown ('13) – Women's Swimming & Diving (2009-2013)
The first member of the JMU swimming and diving program to compete in the NCAA Championships, Kimberly (Helfrich) Solari Brown finished top 30 in the country in both the one-meter and three-meter diving events in 2010-2011. She was twice named Colonial Athletic Association Diver of the Year (2011, 2013) was named CAA Diver of the Meet in 2013 and added Rookie Diver of the Year in 2010. Along the way, she captured three gold medals in CAA competition, winning the one-meter board in 2012 and both boards in 2013. Her high scores of 327.85 as a senior in the one meter and 377.70 as a sophomore still stand as home pool records in Savage Natatorium. Rising from the ranks of walk-on to JMU Hall of Famer, Helfrich was also a JMU President's List honoree in 2013 to go with six semesters on the JMU Dean's List. She was a four-time JMU AD Scholar-Athlete and three-time honoree on the VaSID Academic All-State team, selected among all athletes in all sports. She played a prominent role in JMU rising from third in the CAA as a freshman to runner up as a sophomore and champion in 2012, grabbing the program's first championship since 2001.
Charles King – University Administrator (1996-2021, President 2024-2025)
As senior vice president of administration and finance for 25 years, Charlie King served as immediate supervisor of the JMU Athletics program and a staunch supporter and advocate for the value of an intercollegiate athletics program within the educational mission of the university. King was instrumental in building a model athletics program that rose to national prominence at the NCAA Division I FCS level, culminating in an invitation to the Sun Belt Conference and the Division I FBS level that began in 2022. King provided guidance and resources to position JMU for its rise, attracting elite coaches across multiple sports and building an unmatched physical infrastructure. The majority of JMU's present athletics footprint on campus was built under King's watch, including the expansion of Bridgeforth Stadium, the Atlantic Union Bank Center, Sentara Park, Veterans Memorial Park, later expansion of the VMP softball stadium, the JMU Field Hockey Complex, the Plecker Athletics Performance Center, the East Campus Tennis Complex, the Sentara Park Athletics Training Center and the Golf Short Game Facility. While completed after his retirement, King also initiated the renovation of the JMU Convocation Center. Multiple projects also included university acquisition of expanded property, notably for Sentara Park and Veterans Memorial Park. JMU captured three national championships during King's tenure, including FCS football titles in 2004 and 2016 and a lacrosse championship in 2018. Upon his return to the university for the 2024-2025 academic year to serve as president, King aided new Director of Athletics Matt Roan in the department's first leadership transition in 25 years, saw the program receive official "full" FBS membership reclassification and watched JMU football win its first FBS bowl game.
Darren McLinton ('13) – Men's Basketball (1992-1996)
One of the top shooters and scorers in JMU men's basketball history, Darren McLinton ranks sixth all-time for the Dukes with 1,533 points to go with 271 assists and 212 rebounds. He tallied one of the best single seasons in program history with 22.7 points per game (680 total points) in his senior season in 1995-96. His scoring average that season ranks second in program history and still ranks 10th in Colonial Athletic Association history. McLinton buried 122 3-pointers that season to lead the country and set a JMU record, also ranking second in CAA history. He also holds the JMU career record for free throw percentage at .836 with 346 made free throws on 414 attempts. Other career statistical rankings include second in 3-point percentage (.419), fourth in 3-pointers made (237), eighth in free throws (346), eighth in games (118) and ninth in steals (123). JMU earned a pair of CAA regular season championships in McLinton's first two seasons and captured the CAA title in his sophomore campaign in 1994 to advance to the NCAA Championship. The Dukes were league runner up in each his freshman and junior seasons.
Kevin Munson ('16) – Baseball (2008-2010)
Among the most elite relief pitchers in program history, Kevin Munson posted a 2.35 ERA, 13-4 record, 23 saves and 171 strikeouts in three seasons with the Diamond Dukes to earn a pair of All-America honors. Munson's 23 saves in three seasons represents the program career record, far ahead of second place (14). His two seasons of 10 saves in 2010 and nine saves in 2009 rank first and second on the single-season charts at JMU. He also owns the career record for lowest opponent batting average at .198, with his 95 hits allowed in 134 innings featuring only 27 extra-base hits for an opponent slugging percentage of just .273. His 11.49 strikeouts per nine innings also set a JMU career record and currently stands third all-time. Munson earned the inaugural Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year award in 2010 and is one of just two relief pitchers to ever win the award through the 2024 season. In addition to All-American, he was a two-time First Team All-CAA selection, two-time All-State selection, two-time All-Region selection and was a Freshman All-American in 2008. His 2.35 ERA ranks third in program history. Munson was an instrumental piece in JMU claiming its first CAA Championship in 2008 and earning a regular season title in 2010. He was a fourth-round MLB draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010 with the 121st overall selection and advanced in the Minor Leagues as far as Triple-A.
Stephon Robertson ('13) – Football (2009-2013)
Stephon Robertson was a dominant defensive force at linebacker for JMU, amassing 445 tackles, including 44 for loss, in four seasons as a starter with nine sacks, three interceptions, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was a two-time First Team All-American, including a consensus First Team All-American in his senior season in 2013 with five different organizations tapping him for their top squad. He was twice named as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in FCS football and finished as runner-up nationally in 2013. He was also the recipient of the Dudley Award in 2013 as the top football player in Virginia, topping all FBS players in the state. Robertson's senior season honors came on the heels of a stat line that included 141 tackles with 17 for loss and five sacks. He was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the Colonial Athletic Association in both 2012 and 2013 and added state Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2013. He was also named a four-time All-CAA selection with three First Team honors and a four-time All-State honoree by both VaSID and the Roanoke Times. Robertson's 445 career tackles still rank fourth in program history. He capped his career with selection to a senior all-star game at the 2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
The 2025 JMU Athletics Hall of Fame Class includes: women's basketball guard Kirby Burkholder (2010-2014), sprint freestyle swimmer Eva Hannesdottir (2010-2012), diver Kimberly (Helfrich) Solari Brown (2009-2013), former Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance and President Charles King (1996-2021, 2024-2025), men's basketball guard Darren McLinton (1992-1996), baseball relief pitcher Kevin Munson (2008-2010) and football linebacker Stephon Robertson (2009-2013).
Nominations for the JMU Athletics Hall of Fame can be submitted online by any individual at any time. All candidates are considered according to the Hall of Fame selection criteria.
JMU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025
Kirby Burkholder ('14) – Women's Basketball (2010-2014)
Shenandoah Valley native Kirby Burkholder stayed near home with her hometown Dukes and turned in a prolific career of individual success while leading JMU to a pair of Colonial Athletic Association titles. She ranks top 10 in JMU history in both points (ninth with 1,647) and rebounds (fourth with 929) while setting the program record for career free throw percentage (.870) and adding 216 assists, 190 steals and 46 blocks. The fourth Hall of Famer to play for JMU Hall of Fame coach Kenny Brooks, she aided the Dukes to a 109-33 record in four seasons with league titles and NCAA appearances in 2011 and 2014. Her senior squad in 2014 went 29-6 with the program's only NCAA win since 1991, a first round triumph over Gonzaga. During her sophomore season the Dukes finished as national runner up in the WNIT, while also advancing to the fourth round in her junior year. Burkholder was named both CAA and State (VaSID, Richmond Times-Dispatch) Player of the Year in 2014 and was a three-time All-CAA selection. In 2014 she signed a WNBA contract with the Washington Mystics and advanced to a nearly 10-year professional career in various leagues.
Eva Hannesdottir ('12) – Women's Swimming & Diving (2010-2012)
Eva Hannesdottir made a lasting impact on the JMU swimming and diving program in her final two seasons of college eligibility, breaking seven different JMU records before advancing to become the first and only Olympian in program history. The freestyle sprint swimmer was a two-time Mid-Major All-America Honorable Mention selection, a three-time Colonial Athletic Association individual champion and three-time CAA relay event champion. Along the way, she set seven NCAA "B" Cut times, individually in the 50-, 100- and 200-meter freestyle as well as the 200, 400 and 800 free relays and 400 medley relay. At one time, she was part of school records in the same seven events and still ranks as high as second in program history in the 100 free and 200 free relay as well as third in the 200 free and 400 medley relay. In 2011, the Dukes finished runner up at the CAA Championship with Hannesdottir individually placing fourth with 53 points scored in the meet. In her senior campaign in 2012, she was second overall with 57 points as JMU broke through with its first program title since 2001. She later became the national champion of Iceland in the 100 and 200 freestyle and qualified for the 2012 London Olympics for Iceland in the 400 medley relay.
Kimberly (Helfrich) Solari Brown ('13) – Women's Swimming & Diving (2009-2013)
The first member of the JMU swimming and diving program to compete in the NCAA Championships, Kimberly (Helfrich) Solari Brown finished top 30 in the country in both the one-meter and three-meter diving events in 2010-2011. She was twice named Colonial Athletic Association Diver of the Year (2011, 2013) was named CAA Diver of the Meet in 2013 and added Rookie Diver of the Year in 2010. Along the way, she captured three gold medals in CAA competition, winning the one-meter board in 2012 and both boards in 2013. Her high scores of 327.85 as a senior in the one meter and 377.70 as a sophomore still stand as home pool records in Savage Natatorium. Rising from the ranks of walk-on to JMU Hall of Famer, Helfrich was also a JMU President's List honoree in 2013 to go with six semesters on the JMU Dean's List. She was a four-time JMU AD Scholar-Athlete and three-time honoree on the VaSID Academic All-State team, selected among all athletes in all sports. She played a prominent role in JMU rising from third in the CAA as a freshman to runner up as a sophomore and champion in 2012, grabbing the program's first championship since 2001.
Charles King – University Administrator (1996-2021, President 2024-2025)
As senior vice president of administration and finance for 25 years, Charlie King served as immediate supervisor of the JMU Athletics program and a staunch supporter and advocate for the value of an intercollegiate athletics program within the educational mission of the university. King was instrumental in building a model athletics program that rose to national prominence at the NCAA Division I FCS level, culminating in an invitation to the Sun Belt Conference and the Division I FBS level that began in 2022. King provided guidance and resources to position JMU for its rise, attracting elite coaches across multiple sports and building an unmatched physical infrastructure. The majority of JMU's present athletics footprint on campus was built under King's watch, including the expansion of Bridgeforth Stadium, the Atlantic Union Bank Center, Sentara Park, Veterans Memorial Park, later expansion of the VMP softball stadium, the JMU Field Hockey Complex, the Plecker Athletics Performance Center, the East Campus Tennis Complex, the Sentara Park Athletics Training Center and the Golf Short Game Facility. While completed after his retirement, King also initiated the renovation of the JMU Convocation Center. Multiple projects also included university acquisition of expanded property, notably for Sentara Park and Veterans Memorial Park. JMU captured three national championships during King's tenure, including FCS football titles in 2004 and 2016 and a lacrosse championship in 2018. Upon his return to the university for the 2024-2025 academic year to serve as president, King aided new Director of Athletics Matt Roan in the department's first leadership transition in 25 years, saw the program receive official "full" FBS membership reclassification and watched JMU football win its first FBS bowl game.
Darren McLinton ('13) – Men's Basketball (1992-1996)
One of the top shooters and scorers in JMU men's basketball history, Darren McLinton ranks sixth all-time for the Dukes with 1,533 points to go with 271 assists and 212 rebounds. He tallied one of the best single seasons in program history with 22.7 points per game (680 total points) in his senior season in 1995-96. His scoring average that season ranks second in program history and still ranks 10th in Colonial Athletic Association history. McLinton buried 122 3-pointers that season to lead the country and set a JMU record, also ranking second in CAA history. He also holds the JMU career record for free throw percentage at .836 with 346 made free throws on 414 attempts. Other career statistical rankings include second in 3-point percentage (.419), fourth in 3-pointers made (237), eighth in free throws (346), eighth in games (118) and ninth in steals (123). JMU earned a pair of CAA regular season championships in McLinton's first two seasons and captured the CAA title in his sophomore campaign in 1994 to advance to the NCAA Championship. The Dukes were league runner up in each his freshman and junior seasons.
Kevin Munson ('16) – Baseball (2008-2010)
Among the most elite relief pitchers in program history, Kevin Munson posted a 2.35 ERA, 13-4 record, 23 saves and 171 strikeouts in three seasons with the Diamond Dukes to earn a pair of All-America honors. Munson's 23 saves in three seasons represents the program career record, far ahead of second place (14). His two seasons of 10 saves in 2010 and nine saves in 2009 rank first and second on the single-season charts at JMU. He also owns the career record for lowest opponent batting average at .198, with his 95 hits allowed in 134 innings featuring only 27 extra-base hits for an opponent slugging percentage of just .273. His 11.49 strikeouts per nine innings also set a JMU career record and currently stands third all-time. Munson earned the inaugural Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year award in 2010 and is one of just two relief pitchers to ever win the award through the 2024 season. In addition to All-American, he was a two-time First Team All-CAA selection, two-time All-State selection, two-time All-Region selection and was a Freshman All-American in 2008. His 2.35 ERA ranks third in program history. Munson was an instrumental piece in JMU claiming its first CAA Championship in 2008 and earning a regular season title in 2010. He was a fourth-round MLB draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010 with the 121st overall selection and advanced in the Minor Leagues as far as Triple-A.
Stephon Robertson ('13) – Football (2009-2013)
Stephon Robertson was a dominant defensive force at linebacker for JMU, amassing 445 tackles, including 44 for loss, in four seasons as a starter with nine sacks, three interceptions, seven forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was a two-time First Team All-American, including a consensus First Team All-American in his senior season in 2013 with five different organizations tapping him for their top squad. He was twice named as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in FCS football and finished as runner-up nationally in 2013. He was also the recipient of the Dudley Award in 2013 as the top football player in Virginia, topping all FBS players in the state. Robertson's senior season honors came on the heels of a stat line that included 141 tackles with 17 for loss and five sacks. He was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the Colonial Athletic Association in both 2012 and 2013 and added state Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2013. He was also named a four-time All-CAA selection with three First Team honors and a four-time All-State honoree by both VaSID and the Roanoke Times. Robertson's 445 career tackles still rank fourth in program history. He capped his career with selection to a senior all-star game at the 2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.
JMU Football | Win this game.
Thursday, September 04
JMU Football | All Eyes Back on Bridgeforth
Monday, September 01
JMU Football | Enough talk, let's ball.
Friday, August 29
Area Code Shoutouts
Thursday, August 07
