University of Michigan Hall of Honor
- Induction:
- 2022
- Class:
- 1982
Williams-Hoak earned notoriety for committing to Michigan after a talk with Bo Schembechler at her high school athletic banquet and, thus, becoming the "only female athlete Bo Schembechler only recruited." She became the first Big Ten champion in Michigan women's track and field history and went on to win four Big Ten titles in the javelin. She was the first female track athlete to place at the National Track Championships when she finished ninth as a freshman (AIAW). She competed in four national championships and went on to earn All-America honors. Williams-Hoak set the school record in the javelin, throwing 167 feet, 6 inches -- a record that stood for over 25 years. Williams-Hoak was inducted into the Michigan Women's Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Ohio Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2016. She qualified for three U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials and finished seventh at the 1984 Olympic Trials. She also competed in seven U.S. Olympic Festivals -- six in Track and Field and one in softball while also representing the U.S. in track and field in competition in Russia and West Germany. Williams-Hoak later joined U-M as an assistant track and strength and conditioning coach. She was selected by the U.S. Olympic Committee as a throwing coach at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Williams-Hoak was also a member of the Letterwinners M Club Board of Directors.
