Kim Hamilton (2000) - Hall of Fame

Kim Hamilton

Induction:
2000

Kim Hamilton became the first African-American gymnast ever to receive a full scholarship to compete at UCLA. She went on to set a national record that has yet to be duplicated when she won three consecutive NCAA floor exercise titles from 1987-89. She also won the NCAA vault title in 1989. At the NCAA Regional level, she won a school record-tying seven titles, including three each in the all-around and on floor exercise. She also won Pac-10 titles on uneven bars and floor exercise in both 1988 and 1989. Throughout her career, she earned six All-America honors. Hamilton was inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 and into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 and was selected to the Pac-12 All-Century gymnastics team.

Now an inspirational/motivational speaker and podcast host, Hamilton continues to give back to the sports community. She has worked with Athletes in Action for over 20 years and previously worked as a sports commentator for ESPN and Fox Sports. Hamilton published a book, Unfavorable Odds, a memoir about her journey from a background filled with drugs and violence to a Hall of Fame career at UCLA.