Seven standout student-athletes, one national championship team, and two NCAA Champion relay squad
TUCSON–Arizona Athletics and the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame today unveiled the 2025 induction class, which includes seven standout student-athletes, the 2024 Triathlon national champions, and two NCAA men’s swimming relay squads from 2012 and 2013. Together, they have amassed dozens of All-America honors, 10 individual NCAA titles, multiple Olympic appearances including one gold medal, an NFL Super Bowl championship and an NBA title.
2025 Inductees
The student-athletes selected for the Hall of Fame are Kevin Cordes (Swim & Dive, 2011–15), Ben Diggins (Baseball, 1999–2000), Nick Foles (Football, 2009–11), Channing Frye (Men’s Basketball, 2002–05), Margo Geer (Swim & Dive, 2010–14), Samantha Pickens (Swim & Dive, 2011–15) and Brad Tandy (Swim & Dive, 2014–16).
The championship teams honored this year are the 2024 Arizona Triathlon Team, the 2013 Men’s Swimming 400 Medley Relay squad and the 2012 Men’s Swimming 200 Medley Relay squad.
Induction Ceremony Details
The 2025 class will be officially enshrined on Friday, November 21, 2025, at the Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa. Tickets go on sale September 8 at $75 each or $750 per table of 10. VisitArizonaWildcats.com for details.
Spotlight on the 2025 Class
Kevin Cordes is an Olympic gold medalist and former American record holder who won four NCAA titles in the 100-yard breaststroke, plus championships in the 200-yard breaststroke and 400-yard medley relay. He was named NCAA Swimmer of the Year in 2013 and 2014, earned Capital One Academic All-America honors and captured gold in Rio in 2016 as part of the 4×100-meter medley relay.
Ben Diggins starred for two seasons as a pitcher and designated hitter, earning Freshman First-Team All-America honors in 1999 and First-Team All-America recognition in 2000. He went 10-4 with 127 strikeouts, hit .336 with nine home runs and was selected in the first round of the 2000 MLB Draft.
Nick Foles set Arizona career records with 10,011 passing yards, 67 touchdown passes and 9,712 yards of total offense. He led the Pac-10 in completions, attempts and passing yards in 2011 before an 11-year NFL career highlighted by a Super Bowl LII MVP performance.
Channing Frye earned Second-Team All-America honors at Arizona and ranks among the school’s leaders in blocked shots, rebounds and points. He was the No. 8 pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, won a title with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and finished his career with more than 4,000 rebounds and 500 blocks.
Margo Geer was a 27-time All-American who captured three individual NCAA freestyle titles, holding the school record in the 100-yard free. She was named Pac-12 Woman of the Year in 2015 and was a finalist for NCAA Woman of the Year.
Samantha Pickens is a five-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion on the 1-meter board. She earned Pac-12 Diver of the Year honors in 2013 and remains one of only eight multiple-time national diving champions in Arizona history.
Brad Tandy won the 2014 NCAA title in the 50-yard freestyle, set school and meet records, earned four All-America honors and went on to represent South Africa at the 2016 Olympic Games.
Men’s Swimming Relay Highlights
In 2013, Mitchell Friedemann, Kevin Cordes, Giles Smith and Nimrod Shapira Bar-Or combined for a 3:02.09 finish in the 400-yard medley relay at the NCAA Championships, breaking the school record by more than two seconds and earning Arizona’s third national title in the event.
In 2012, Adam Small, Mitchell Friedemann, Giles Smith and Kevin Cordes shattered the American and school records with a 1:23.53 time in the 200-yard medley relay, delivering Arizona’s third championship in that race.
2024 Triathlon National Champions
Under coach Wes Johnson and guided by the mantra “Why Not Us?,” the Wildcats dethroned eight-time defending champion Arizona State to win the USA Triathlon Collegiate Team National Championship, marking Arizona’s 23rd team title.
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