West Liberty University Athletics

    Yoel Kende was regarded as one of the WVIAC’s greatest swimmers and his accomplishments speak for themselves. During his three years competing for Hall of Fame Coach Tom Grall, Kende not only earned three straight All-WVIAC selections, he was a three-time NAIA All-American and a three-time NAIA National Champion. In all, he claimed nine WVIAC swimming titles and was recognized as an All-American in nine separate events. His swimming accomplishments earned him a spot on the Israeli Olympic Team, which competed in the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City.
    Kende's success extended to the classroom and his business career as well. A Dean’s List student at West Liberty, Kende went on to earn graduate degrees from Claremont (Calif.) College and The American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, Ariz.
    At the time of his induction, he was president and owner of the American Chemical Company of Mill Neck, N.Y., an international importer and exporter of industrial chemicals.