40 in 40 - Bonni Kinne
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Title IX, wmubroncos.com takes a look at 40 key moments/females in the history of women's athletics at Western Michigan University. Though the selection process, an effort was made to highlight a moment and player/coach from each of our current women's sports programs, as well pay respect to our women's legacy sports. A different feature will be released each of the 40 days, July 24 through Sept. 1.
Bonni Kinne
Softball, 1980-84
WMU Athletic Hall of Fame: 1999
Leading Western Michigan during its greatest runs in program history, Bonni Kinne was WMU's ace in the softball circle from 1980-84. Kinne's prominence is showcased in the Bronco annuals, where her name is at the top of several pitching records.
Kinne was overpowering, throwing a school record 48 career shutouts and eight no-hitters. Her career ERA is a staggering 0.32, hurling the two best seasons in program history with a 0.15 ERA in 1982 and a 0.28 ERA in 1980.
Over her illustrious career, Kinne posted a 69-18 record for an unmatched .793 winning percentage. She threw 657.3 innings, including 194.0 in 1984. She holds the single-game strikeout record, fanning 19 batters against Grand Valley State and was the program's career strikeout leader with 593 before Meredith Whitney surpassed her this past Spring.
Kinne additionally holds the top three spots for shutouts in a single season, with 14 in 1980, 12 in 1981 and 11 in 1982.
Helping WMU advance to its first ever AIAW Nationals (College World Series) in 1980 with a 17-4 record, Kinne would be one of three Broncos to earn All-Tournament team honors. She earned back-to-back All-State - SMAIAW honors in 1980 & 1981 and was named a First Team All-American in 1982.
A Grand Ledge, Mich. native, Kinne earned a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan in biomedical sciences, as well as a master's degree in exercise science from WMU and a master's degree in physical therapy from Grand Valley State. She is currently an assistant professor at Grand Valley State and the Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education.
