Story Links LAWRENCE, Kan. — Darnell Valentine (men’s basketball, 1977-81) and Erika Oliver (rowing, 1995-97) have been named the 2025 honorees for Marian E. Washington Trailblazer Series, Kansas Athletics announced today.• In fall 1995, she rowed as a member of the first-place varsity open eight at Head of the Kaw.• She was a member of the […]
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Darnell Valentine (men’s basketball, 1977-81) and Erika Oliver (rowing, 1995-97) have been named the 2025 honorees for Marian E. Washington Trailblazer Series, Kansas Athletics announced today.• In fall 1995, she rowed as a member of the first-place varsity open eight at Head of the Kaw.
• She was a member of the third-place lightweight eight at the 1995 Head of the Charles.
• Oliver captured second place with the varsity open four and placed third in the varsity open eight at the 1995 Head of the Iowa.
• She was a four-year member of the University of Kansas Student Senate, serving on the Finance Committee (3 years), University Council (2 years), University Judicial Board (2 years), and Multicultural Affairs (1 year). Oliver was also named 1995 Senator of the Year.
• Olver resides in Boston and will be returning to campus for the first time in 30 years.In honor of Black History Month, Kansas Athletics recognizes the notable achievements and accomplishments of African-Americans who have helped shape the Jayhawk program throughout the years by creating the Marian E. Washington Trailblazer Series. The series began 2020 and each February, this endeavor chronicles several prominent African-Americans and their impact on Kansas Athletics. Valentine and Oliver will be honored at the Feb. 11 Kansas home men’s basketball game against Colorado.Darnell Valentine | Wichita, Kan. | Men’s Basketball | 1977-81
• A three-time Academic All-American in 1979, 1980, and 1981, Valentine was also named an All-American following his senior season in 1981.
• Valentine is the only player to be named first-team all-conference four times.
• He ranks first in the Big Eight Conference and at KU with 336 career steals.
• Valentine still ranks first in free throws made with 541 at Kansas.
• Valentine ranks seventh on the Kansas career scoring list with 1,821 points.
• He led Kansas in scoring his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.
• A four-time team Most Valuable Player, Valentine ranks sixth on the KU career assists list with 609.
• He is one of three players in Kansas history to earn All-American honors both on the floor and academically.
• His KU jersey was officially retired on Jan. 1, 2005.Marian E. Washington Trailblazer Series Honorees
2020 – Marian E. Washington (coach), John McLendon (coach), Curtis McClinton (football), Stanley Redwine (coach)
2021 – Adrian Mitchell-Newell (basketball), Homer Floyd (football), Gloria Graves (softball), LaVannes Squires (basketball)
2022 – Nikki (Wahle) Barrett (soccer), Tamecka Dixon (basketball), Ed Harvey (football/baseball), Maurice King (basketball)
2023 – Angela Aycock (basketball), Kelsie Payne (volleyball), Breonna Barker (swimming), Halcon “Tudie” MacKnight (track & field), Walt Wesley (basketball)
2024 – Vickie Adkins (basketball), Isaac “Bud” Stallworth (basketball)
2025 – Darnell Valentine (basketball), Erika Oliver (rowing)Erika Oliver | Overland Park, Kan. | Rowing | 1995-97
• Oliver lettered two years in Rowing while at Kansas in 1995-96 and 1996-97.
• Oliver has been identified as the first African American rower in the history of KU Rowing.
• Oliver was part of the team that advocated for the establishment of NCAA Division I rowing at KU.
• Prior to rowing becoming a varsity sport, Oliver participated on the crew team for two years.
