Kate (Galer) Hawkins (2004) - Hall of Fame

Kate (Galer) Hawkins

Induction:
2004
Class:
1996

Kate Galer Hawkins was a four-year starting outside hitter in volleyball for the Panthers from 1993-96, helping UNI to a 101-18 overall mark over that time span, two Missouri Valley Conference titles, on NIT appearance, and two NCAA berths.

At the time of her Hall of Fame induction in 2004 she still held six recordsÑfor career kill average (4.35), career kill attempts (3,817) and career digs per game (3.46); for single-season kills per game (5.57), and for single-match kill attempts in four games (79) and hitting percentage in three games (.846).

She also ranked in the top 10 in numerous all-time categories, including career kills (1,720, 2nd), career hitting percentage (.292, 9th), career digs (1,368, 2nd), single season kills (535, 2nd), season kill attempts (1,201, 3rd), season digs per game (3.53, 3rd), single match kills in three games (24, 2nd), match kills in four games (28, T4th), and single match digs in four games (28, T2nd).

Hawkins held the school freshman records for kills (358) and digs (349), and the school senior class record for attempts (1,201). She led the team three straight years in kills (1994-95) and was tied for the team lead in 1994 in service aces (38). During her career, she tallied six 20-20 matches, when she reached at least 20 kills and 20 digs in a match, with a high match of 29 and 28, respectively, against Missouri State, ranking third high all time.

With such lofty numbers, it's not surprising she earned numerous honors and awards throughout her career. She was named the MVC's Freshman of the Year in 1993, and over her career was an eight-time MVC Player of the Week honoree. She was a two-time NCAA All-District 5 Selection (1995-96), a two-time second team American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Mideast Region pick (1995-96), a three-time MVC first team all-conference choice (1994-96) and a four-time MVC all-tournament honoree. She was a 1997 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee.

She not only received honors athletically, but academically, as well. She received the George Miner Outstanding Freshman of the Year Scholarship (1993), a Life Investors Scholarship (1995), was the Purple and Old Gold Meritorious Scholarship and Honor Graduate Certificate recipient (1995-96), received the Director of Athletics Award five straight years, when she also made the Dean's List; and earned the UNI President's Academic Excellence Award (1996). She was a three-time first team all-academic in the conference, a three-time District 5 Academic All-American (1994-96), and twice was honored as a GTE Academic All-American - first team in 1996 and third team in 1995.

Hawkins received her bachelorÕs degree in Marketing from UNI in December of 1995 and her MBA Degree in May of 1997. She played professionally in the National Volleyball Association one year before beginning her business career.