Kent State Golden Flashes softball

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Kent State Golden Flashes
Kent State K.svg
University Kent State University
Head coachJessica O'Donnell (1st season)
Conference MAC
East Division
Location Kent, Ohio
Home stadiumJudith K. Devine Diamond (Capacity: 500)
Nickname Golden Flashes
ColorsNavy blue and gold [1]
   
NCAA WCWS appearances
1990
NCAA Tournament appearances
1990 • 2006 • 2008 • 2017
Conference Tournament championships
2006 • 2008 • 2017
Regular Season Conference championships
1990 • 2007 • 2008 • 2010 • 2015 • 2016

The Kent State Golden Flashes softball team is an intercollegiate athletic team at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The Flashes play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division. The head coach since the 2016 season is Eric Oakley. Home games are played at the Judith K. Devine Diamond, a 500-seat facility that opened in 1999. The Flashes also have an indoor practice facility, the David and Peggy Edmonds Baseball and Softball Training Facility, which opened in 2014.

Contents

The program was established in the mid-1970s along with the women's basketball, women's volleyball, and women's track and field teams as part of the implementation of Title IX. The team began play in 1975 at the club level and had their first varsity game in 1976. The MAC added softball as a sponsored sport in 1982 and conference play began the following year. After a brief use of East and West divisions in 1983 and 1984, divisions were re-introduced in 1998 and Kent State was placed in the East Division. Through the 2017 season, the Flashes have won 10 MAC East Division titles, six MAC regular-season titles, and three MAC tournament championships. Kent State has made four appearances in the NCAA Division I Softball Championship, advancing to the Women's College World Series in 1990.

History

Following the passage of Title IX in 1972, Kent State University began to introduce additional women's intercollegiate sports at the varsity level. Prior to 1972, the only varsity women's athletic teams were the women's gymnastics and women's swimming teams while all other sports were available as intramurals. The women's basketball team was founded in 1973 and received varsity status in 1975, followed by women's volleyball, women's track and field, women's tennis, field hockey, and softball. The softball team played the 1975 season as a club team and began varsity competition in 1976 as a member of the Ohio Association of Intercollegiate Sports for Women (OAISW), where they would play until the Mid-American Conference added softball as a sponsored sport in 1982, with competition beginning in 1983. Kent State's first varsity softball game was an 8–4 win in Youngstown, Ohio, over the Youngstown State Penguins on May 1, 1976, as part of a tournament after having earlier scheduled games cancelled for weather. The Flashes finished the inaugural varsity season 13–3 overall under coach Kirk "Corky" Semier, who coached for just one season. She was succeeded by Laurel Wartluft, who coached the team from 1977 to 1981. Wartluft, who also coached the women's basketball team from 1977 to 1986, led the team to a 21–3 season in 1977, which included the OAISW tournament championship. The team transitioned to fastpitch softball in 1979. [2] [3]

Lori Fuglestad succeeded Wartluft in 1982, the same year the Mid-American Conference added softball as a sponsored sport with regular-season conference play starting the following year. Fuglestad coached four seasons at KSU and was followed by Sue Lilley. Under Lilley, Kent State won their first MAC softball championship in 1990, when the team posted a 20–4 conference record and 43–9 overall mark. The .827 overall winning percentage ranks first in MAC history as of 2016. The 1990 team went 3–0 in the regional round of the NCAA Tournament, where they defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes twice and the Oregon Ducks to advance to the Women's College World Series. At the WCWS, Kent State fell to both UCLA and UNLV to earn a national 7th-place finish. Lilley coached the Flashes through the 1996 season, finishing with a record of 289–219–1 in 11 seasons and the 1990 MAC Coach of the Year award. [2]

Karen Linder began her tenure as head coach for the 1997 season and coached 19 seasons. Under Linder, the team won their first MAC East Division championship ever in 1999, their first MAC Tournament title ever in 2006, and their first regular-season title since 1990 in 2007. In her 19 seasons, Linder led the Flashes to nine MAC East titles, four MAC regular-season championships, and two MAC Tournament titles. In the NCAA Tournament, the Flashes finished 1–2 at the 2006 tournament and 2–2 at the 2008 tournament, advancing to the regional final with wins over Wright State and Notre Dame. The 2008 team went 46–12 overall and 20–2 in MAC play. The 46 wins set the school record for wins and ranks second in MAC history. In 2015 the Flashes again won over 40 games, going 41–13 overall and 17–4 in MAC play, but lost in the MAC Tournament. Linder resigned after the 2015 season citing "philosophical differences with today's athletic world". She finished her career at Kent State with an overall record of 548–434–1 and 269–153 in MAC play. The 548 wins are the most in program history, while the 269 MAC wins are the most in Kent State and MAC history. Linder was also awarded MAC Coach of the Year four times, including her final 2015 season. [4] [5] [6]

Linder was succeeded by Eric Oakley, who had been serving as assistant for the 2015 season. He officially served as interim head coach for 2016 and led the team to their second-consecutive MAC regular-season and East Division championships with a 37–22 record overall and 16–7 in MAC play. At the conclusion of the MAC Tournament, Oakley was named MAC Coach of the Year, the sixth time a KSU coach has won the award. [2] [7]

On June 21, 2023, former Saint Francis head coach Jessica O'Donnell was announced as the new head coach for the Golden Flashes. [8] [9]

Postseason

Kent State is a regular participant in the Mid-American Conference softball tournament, which was first held in 1982, but was discontinued after 1986 and resumed in 1996. The 1982 tournament featured all 10 conference teams in a single-elimination opening round followed by a double-elimination bracket for the remaining four teams. The 1983 tournaments featured the top six in a double-elimination format, while the 1984, 1985, and 1986 tournaments included only the top four teams in the conference. After the tournament resumed in 1996, the top four qualified for the 1996 and 1997 tournaments before being expanded to include the top six teams from 1998 to 2004. Since 2005, the tournament has included the top eight teams in the conference. Originally, the top seed served as the host for the entire tournament. Since 2002, the tournament has been held at a neutral site, starting at Firestone Stadium in Akron from 2002 to 2005, followed by two years at Currie Stadium in Midland, Michigan. The tournament returned to Firestone Stadium in 2008. Through the 2018 tournament, Kent State has 21 total appearances out of 28 total tournaments. The Flashes won the 2006, 2008, and 2017 tournaments and have an overall record of 35–36. [6]

Mid-American Conference softball tournament [6]
YearSeedLocationRoundResult
1982Western Michigan Softball Field • Kalamazoo, Michigan FirstL 2–1 to Northern Illinois
1983Varsity Field • Ypsilanti, Michigan FirstW 4–2 over Western Michigan
SecondL 8–2 to Miami
W 9–6 over Ohio
L 6–2 to Western Michigan
1997CMU Softball Field • Mount Pleasant, Michigan FirstW 3–0 over Central Michigan
SecondL 2–1 to Western Michigan
L 1–0 to Central Michigan
1998Buchtel Field • Akron, Ohio FirstL 5–0 to Ball State
W 11–1 (5) over Bowling Green
SecondW 1–0 (15) over Northern Illinois
SemifinalW 4–3 over Central Michigan
ChampionshipL 3–1 (8) to Ball State
1999Bell Field • DeKalb, Illinois FirstL 3–0 to Central Michigan
W 2–1 over Bowling Green
SecondL 2–1 to Northern Illinois
20014thCMU Softball Field • Mount Pleasant, Michigan FirstW 5–4 over (5) Ohio
SecondL 4–3 to (1) Central Michigan
L 4–0 to (3) Ball State
20042nd Firestone StadiumAkron, Ohio FirstL 1–0 to (3) Western Michigan
W 6–5 over (5) Ohio
SecondL 6–0 to (6) Bowling Green
2005 Firestone StadiumAkron, Ohio FirstL 3–2 to Marshall
L 2–0 to Buffalo
2006Currie Stadium • Midland, Michigan FirstW 2–1 over Northern Illinois
SecondW 3–2 over Bowling Green
SemifinalW 2–0 over Eastern Michigan
ChampionshipW 2–1 over Western Michigan
2007Currie Stadium • Midland, Michigan FirstW 4–2 over Northern Illinois
SecondL 7–6 to Central Michigan
L 2–1 to Ohio
20081st Firestone StadiumAkron, Ohio FirstW 3–2 over (8) Akron
SecondW 2–1 over (5) Western Michigan
SemifinalW 6–3 over (7) Ball State
ChampionshipW 5–0 over (6) Ohio
20092nd Firestone StadiumAkron, Ohio FirstW 3–1 over (7) Akron
SecondL 3–2 to (3) Western Michigan
L 4–3 to (5) Northern Illinois
20101st Firestone StadiumAkron, Ohio FirstW 8–0 over (8) Bowling Green
SecondW 4–2 over (4) Central Michigan
SemifinalL 6–0 to (2) Ball State
W 1–0 over (6) Northern Illinois
ChampionshipL 5–1 to (2) Ball State
20118th Firestone StadiumAkron, Ohio FirstL 8–0 to (1) Western Michigan
W 5–2 over (5) Eastern Michigan
SecondL 2–1 to (6) Central Michigan
20127th Firestone StadiumAkron, Ohio FirstL 2–1 to (2) Central Michigan
W 9–5 over (4) Ohio
SecondL 5–1 to (2) Miami
20132nd Firestone StadiumAkron, Ohio FirstL 1–0 to (3) Central Michigan
L 5–4 to (6) Ohio
20144th Firestone StadiumAkron, Ohio FirstL 2–1 to (5) Ohio
W 4–1 over (8) Miami
SecondL 3–1 to (6) Central Michigan
20151st Firestone StadiumAkron, Ohio FirstW 3–1 over (8) Ohio
SecondL 1–0 to (4) Central Michigan
W 3–2 (8) over (7) Akron
L 8–3 to (5) Western Michigan
20161st Firestone StadiumAkron, Ohio FirstW 1–0 over (8) Central Michigan
SecondL 2–0 to (4) Northern Illinois
W 13–6 over (6) Akron
L 2–1 to (3) Ohio
20174thFirestone Stadium • Akron, OhioFirstW 4–1 over (5) Ball State
SecondW 9–3 over (8) Western Michigan
SemifinalL 2–0 to (2) Ohio
W 9–3 over (3) Northern Illinois
ChampionshipW 1–0 (8) over (2) Ohio
W 3–0 over (2) Ohio
20184thFirestone Stadium • Akron, OhioFirstW 3–2 over (5) Western Michigan
SecondL 3–1 to (1) Ohio
L 4–2 to (2) Ball State
Totals: 5 championship round appearances, 3 titles, 35–36 record in tournament

NCAA tournament

The Golden Flashes have made four appearances in the NCAA Division I Softball Championship as of 2017, the most recent being in 2017. Kent State has one appearance in the Women's College World Series and an overall record of 7–8 in the tournament. [2] [6]

NCAA Division I Softball Championship [2]
YearSeedLocationRoundResult
1990 Buckeye Field • Columbus, Ohio RegionalW 4–0 over Ohio State
W 3–0 over Oregon
W 5–3 over Ohio State
ASA Hall of Fame StadiumOklahoma City Women's College World Series L 4–0 to UCLA
L 5–2 to UNLV
2006 3rdAlumni Field • Ann Arbor, Michigan RegionalL 1–0 to (2) Oklahoma
W 8–0 over (4) Youngstown State
L 9–1 to (2) Oklahoma
2008 3rdAlumni Field • Ann Arbor, Michigan RegionalL 9–1 to (2) Notre Dame
W 3–2 over (4) Wright State
W 7–5 over (2) Notre Dame
L 5–0 to (1) Michigan
2017 Getternam Stadium • Waco, Texas RegionalL 1–0 to (15) Baylor
W 2–1 over Oregon State
L 4–0 to James Madison
Totals: 4 tournament appearances, 1 regional title, 7–8 record in tournament

Coaches

Through the 2017 season, Kent State has had six head coaches. The program's first varsity head coach, Kirk Semler, who graduated from Kent State in 1975 and was a member of the KSU men's swimming team, also coached the women's swimming team in 1976 and served as an assistant to the men's swimming team. Laurel Wartluft, who succeeded Semler in 1977, served as women's basketball coach during her tenure as softball coach. [2] [10]

CoachYearsSeasonsOverallMACMAC championshipsNCAA
Win–loss–tiePercentWin–loss–tiePercentEast DivisionOverallTournament
Kirk "Corky" Semler1976113–3.813
Laurel Wartluft
1977–1981
5
85–58
.594
Lori Fuglestad1982–1985477–86–1.47316–25–1.393
Sue Lilley Nevar1986–199611289–219–1.569157–134–1.5391990Regional: 1990
WCWS: 1990
Karen Linder1997–201519548–434–1.558269–153.6371999, 2004, 2006,
2007, 2008, 2009,
2010, 2013, 2015
2007, 2008,
2010, 2015
2006, 2008Regional: 2006, 2008
Eric Oakley2016–present399–73.57645–25.643201620162017Regional: 2017
6 coaches43 seasons1,111–877–3.559485–337–2.59010 MAC East
titles
6 MAC
titles
3 MAC
Tournament
titles
4 regional
1 WCWS
appearances

Facilities

Diamond at Dix, 2008 Diamond at Dix2.JPG
Diamond at Dix, 2008
David and Peggy Edmonds Baseball and Softball Training Facility, 2015 Edmonds Training Facility.jpg
David and Peggy Edmonds Baseball and Softball Training Facility, 2015

Home games are played at the Judith K. Devine Diamond, which opened in 1999. It is located along Summit Street adjacent to the southwest corner of Dix Stadium on the eastern edge of the Kent State University campus. The facility features bleacher seating for 500 fans, dugouts, bullpens, a press box, and batting cages. The stadium was renovated in 2004 and a new scoreboard was installed in 2008. The field is natural grass with dimensions that are deeper in the power alleys. This is due to an angled outfield fence instead of a typical curved fence. The field was built adjacent to Dix Stadium to allow use of the locker rooms by players and the restroom facilities by fans. It opened as the Kent Softball Field on April 2, 1999 with a doubleheader against Western Michigan. Kent State swept the doubleheader, winning the first game 2–1 in extra innings, followed by a 6–0 win. Through the 2016 season, Kent State has an overall record of 166–70 (.703) at Judith K. Devine Diamond. [11] It was known as the Diamond at Dix from its opening in 1999 through the 2021 season. It was announced on March 9, 2022, that it was renamed for Judith K. Devine, who served in multiple KSU athletics administrator and coaching positions, in particular as the first female head coach of the Kent State women's basketball team. [12]

Judith K. Devine Diamond is the second permanent home for the team, but the fifth field they have called home. When the program was first established in 1975, they played at what was known as University Field in the area north of the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. This area was used for construction of the adjacent MACC Annex beginning in 1977, so from 1977 through 1981, the team played off campus at Fred Fuller Park in Kent. The 1981 season was initially scheduled to be at the new Campus Center Drive Field, but the team stayed at Fred Fuller for an additional year and then moved to Triple D Field in Brimfield for the 1982 season. In 1983, the team moved to their first permanent home, Campus Center Drive Field, where they played from 1983 to 1997. It was located along Campus Center Drive just north of Schoonover Stadium, and was built in 1979. The site of the field is now part of the parking lot for the adjacent Student Recreation and Wellness Center, which opened in 1999. For the 1998 season, the team used one of the softball fields at the nearby Allerton Sports Complex while the Diamond at Dix was under construction. [13] [14]

The David and Peggy Edmonds Baseball and Softball Training Facility, which opened in 2014, is the team's indoor facility, providing areas for weight training, batting practice, and meetings. It is adjacent to Schoonover Stadium, home of the baseball team. Plans call for construction of a new softball field and clubhouse adjacent to the facility in the near future. Prior to the opening of the current facility, the team used the Kent State Field House, which they shared with a number of other Kent State athletic teams. [15] [16]

Rivalries

Current Mid-American Conference teams (through 2018) [2]
TeamMeetingsWins–lossesPercentageStreak
Akron
124
76–47–1
.617
L1
Ball State
81
50–31
.617
W2
Bowling Green
116
71–44
.617
W16
Buffalo
41
33–8
.805
W11
Central Michigan
93
43–50
.462
W1
Eastern Michigan
84
51–33
.607
W2
Miami
111
53–58
.477
L2
Northern Illinois
56
25–31
.446
W1
Ohio
118
66–52
.559
L3
Toledo
94
56–38
.596
L1
Western Michigan
85
52–33
.612
W1
Non-conference rivals [2]
Cleveland State
57
42–15
.737
W4
Youngstown State
65
51–14
.785
W3

The Flashes arch-rivals are the Akron Zips from the University of Akron, located in Akron, Ohio, approximately 10 miles (16 km) to the southwest of Kent. The two teams first played in 1975 when both programs were at the club level. Kent State records the first official meeting as May 1, 1976, a 3–2 Zips win in Youngstown, while Akron records have the first meeting as April 5, 1980, a 3–2 Zips win in Kent. As a result of the two different start years, through the 2018 season, Akron has the series at 69–45–1 in favor of the Flashes, while Kent State lists the series at 76–47–1 in favor of KSU, beginning in 1976. Akron joined the Mid-American Conference in 1993 and both teams were placed in the East Division in 1998. Akron's longest winning streak in the series came in the 1997 and 1998 seasons, when they won seven in a row, while Kent State recorded a 12-game winning streak that spanned from the 2006 season through the 2012 season. The teams have met four times in the MAC Tournament, with Kent State winning all four: 3–2 in 2008, 3–1 in 2009, 3–2 in 2015, and 13–6 in 2016. Since 2012, the games have also counted as part of the larger Wagon Wheel Challenge between the two schools. [2] [17]

In the MAC, Kent State's most common opponents are the Bowling Green Falcons at 116 meetings, the Ohio Bobcats at 118 meetings, and the Miami RedHawks at 111. Through the 2018 season, Kent State leads the series with Bowling Green 71–44 and the series with Ohio 66–52. Miami leads the series with Kent State 58–53. [2]

Outside the MAC, Kent State's most common opponents are nearby Northeast Ohio teams the Cleveland State Vikings from Cleveland State University and the Youngstown State Penguins of Youngstown State University, both of the Horizon League. Kent State has played both the Vikings and Penguins regularly since the Flashes' first varsity season in 1976. Through the 2018 season, Kent State has met Cleveland State 57 times and leads the Vikings 42–15 following a neutral-site Kent State win in Louisville, Kentucky. The Flashes and Penguins have met 65 times through 2018, with Kent State leading the series 51–14 after sweeping a doubleheader in Youngstown. The Penguins and Flashes have met once in the NCAA Tournament, with Kent State winning 8–0 in 2008 at Ann Arbor, Michigan. [2]

Awards

All-American [2] [6]
NameYearTeam
Holly Spears2018National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) First Team [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dix Stadium</span> American football stadium in Kent, Ohio

Dix Stadium is a stadium in Kent, Ohio, United States. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Kent State Golden Flashes football team. In addition, since 2016 the stadium is also home to the Kent State women's soccer team and since 2019 to the women's lacrosse team. Previously, it was home to the Kent State field hockey team from 1997 to 2004 and served as a secondary home for the KSU men's soccer team in the 1970s. It opened on September 13, 1969 and was named in 1973 after Robert C. Dix, former publisher of the Record-Courier and a member of Kent State's Board of Trustees for more than three decades. It was built as an expansion and relocation of Memorial Stadium, with all of Memorial Stadium's main seating areas used at the current stadium in a new configuration. During soccer games, the playing surface is known as Zoeller Field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center</span> Multi-purpose arena on the campus of Kent State University

The Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, often referred to as the MAC Center and the MACC, is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The building is primarily used as an athletic venue that is home to five Kent State Golden Flashes varsity athletic teams: men's basketball, women's basketball, women's volleyball, women's gymnastics, and wrestling. In addition, it hosts commencement exercises, speakers, and concerts throughout the year. The building houses the offices of the Kent State Athletic Department and the coaches of each of the university's varsity athletic teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohio Bobcats</span> College sport team in Ohio

The Ohio Bobcats are the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Ohio University, located in Athens, Ohio, United States. Ohio University is a charter member (1946) of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), is currently in the East Division of that conference, and sponsors teams in six men's and ten women's NCAA sanctioned sports. The football team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level for college football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wagon Wheel (trophy)</span>

The Blue and Gold Wagon Wheel, now known simply as the Wagon Wheel, is awarded to the winner of the annual college football game between the Zips of the University of Akron and the Golden Flashes of Kent State University. The trophy is, as the name implies, the wheel from a horse-drawn wagon that is painted blue and gold, the school colors for both universities. It was first contested in 1946 when the rivalry resumed after World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State Golden Flashes</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Kent State University

The Kent State Golden Flashes are the athletic teams that represent Kent State University. The university fields 19 varsity athletic teams in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level with football competing in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Kent State is a full member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and has been part of the MAC East division since it was created in 1998. Official school colors are Kent State Blue and Kent State Gold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State Golden Flashes football</span> Varsity intercollegiate athletic team

The Kent State Golden Flashes football team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference East division, and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The Golden Flashes played their first game in 1920 and since 1969 have played their home games at Dix Stadium. Following the 2022 season, Kenni Burns was selected as head coach for the Golden Flashes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akron Zips</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of the University of Akron (Ohio)

The Akron Zips are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio, United States. The Zips compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East division. Akron sponsors 17 varsity teams across six men's, 10 women's, and one coed NCAA sanctioned sports. The football team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of competition for college football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball</span> College basketball team

The Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represents Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The Golden Flashes compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division. The team was founded in 1913 and played their first intercollegiate game in January 1915. They joined the Mid-American Conference in 1951 and have played in the East division since the MAC went to the divisional format in 1997. Home games are held at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, which opened in 1950 and is one of the oldest arenas in college basketball. Rob Senderoff was hired as head coach in 2011, the 24th coach in the program's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State Golden Flashes baseball</span> College baseball team

The Kent State Golden Flashes baseball team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The team competes at the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the Mid-American Conference. The head coach is retired Major League Baseball player Jeff Duncan, who was hired in June 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009–10 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2009–10 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represented Kent State University in the 2009–10 college basketball season. The team was coached by Geno Ford and played their home games in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. They are members of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 24–10, 13–3 in MAC play to win the east division and overall regular season championship. As the 1 seed they were upset by 9 seed and eventual champion Ohio in the quarterfinals of the 2010 MAC men's basketball tournament. As regular season champions they received an automatic bid to the 2010 National Invitation Tournament where they advanced to the second round before falling to Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009–10 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season</span> Sports season

The 2009–10 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season is the 64th college basketball season in the conference's existence. The conference features 12 teams in two divisions, East and West, who compete for the Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular season and tournament titles. Kent State won the MAC regular season title with a record of 13–3. Ninth-seeded Ohio won the MAC tournament received the MAC's automatic bid into the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship tournament. There they defeated Georgetown 97–83 before losing to Tennessee in the second round. Armon Bassett of Ohio was named the tournament MVP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schoonover Stadium</span> College baseball stadium in Ohio, U.S.

Olga Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium is a baseball venue located on the campus of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. It is home to the Kent State Golden Flashes baseball team, a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in Division I and the Mid-American Conference East Division. The field opened in 1966 and was previously known as Gene Michael Field from 1990 to 2003. The field was renamed in late 2003 and renovated in 2005 with additional upgrades made from 2006 through 2008 and again in 2013 to 2014. It has a seating capacity of 1,148 people with a Shaw Sports Turf synthetic playing surface.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010–11 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2010–11 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represented Kent State University in the college basketball season of 2010–11. The team was coached by Geno Ford and played their home games at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center as members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division. On March 4, 2011, the team clinched their second-consecutive outright MAC regular season championship by defeating the Akron Zips 79–68 in Kent. It was the first back-to-back regular season titles in the MAC since Miami accomplished the feat in 1991 and 1992 and first back-to-back outright titles since Ball State in 1989 and 1990.

Robert Andrew Senderoff is the head men's basketball coach at Kent State University. The winningest and longest-tenured coach in program history, he has led the Flashes to a Mid-American Conference regular season title as well as NCAA Tournament appearances in 2017 and 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State Golden Flashes men's golf</span> American college golf team

The Kent State Golden Flashes men's golf team is an intercollegiate sport at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The program was established in 1934 and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division I level as a member of the Mid-American Conference. Through the 2021–22 season, the Flashes have won 30 conference titles, which includes two championships won as a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference prior to 1951. The 28 MAC titles are the most men's golf titles in conference history and the most conference titles among any sport at Kent State. In addition to their conference titles, Kent State has made 37 appearances in the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships, winning three regional championships and advancing to the championship rounds 24 times. The program's highest national finishes are a tie for 5th in 2012, 6th in 2008, and 9th in 2000. Through 2022, Kent State has produced 27 MAC medalists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State Golden Flashes women's basketball</span> College basketball team

The Kent State Golden Flashes women's basketball team represents Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The Golden Flashes compete in the Mid-American Conference and last played in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament in 2024. Founded in 1973 as a club team, the Kent State women's basketball team received varsity status in 1975 and played their first official game in January 1976. Through the 2023–24 season, the Flashes have six total appearances in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament along with four Mid-American Conference tournament championships, five MAC overall titles, and nine MAC East division titles. Home games are held at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, which has been the team's home venue since 1977. The head coach is Todd Starkey, who was hired April 19, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kent State Golden Flashes women's golf</span> American college golf team

The Kent State Golden Flashes women's golf team is an intercollegiate sport at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, United States. The program was established in 1998 and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division I level as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Through the 2022–23 season, the Flashes have won 25 conference titles, all consecutively. Kent State is the only school to win the Mid-American Conference Women's Golf Championships, and has had team members win individual medalist honors in 20 of those years. The 25 consecutive MAC titles are a conference record for consecutive titles in any sport. In addition to their conference titles, Kent State has made 8 appearances in the NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championships, winning one regional title, advancing to the championship round seven times, and to the final match play round twice. The program's highest national finish is a tie for 5th in 2017 and 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017–18 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team</span> American college basketball season

The 2017–18 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represented Kent State University during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Golden Flashes, led by seventh-year head coach Rob Senderoff, played their home games at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center, also known as the MAC Center, as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. They finished the season 17–17, 9–9 in MAC play to finish in second place in the MAC East division. They defeated Northern Illinois and Ball State in the MAC tournament before losing to Buffalo in the semifinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010–11 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season</span> Sports season

The 2010–11 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2010, followed by the start of the 2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2011 and concluded in March 2011. Kent State won the regular season title with a conference record of 12–4. Sixth-seeded Akron defeated Kent State in the MAC tournament final in overtime and represented the MAC in the NCAA tournament where they lost in the first round to Notre Dame.

The 2007–08 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season began with practices in October 2007, followed by the start of the 2007–08 NCAA Division I men's basketball season in November. Conference play began in January 2008 and concluded in March 2008. Kent State won the regular season title with a conference record of 13–3 over second-place Western Michigan. Kent State defeated third-seeded Akron in the MAC tournament final and represented the MAC in the NCAA tournament. As the nine seed in the Midwest Region they lost in the first round to UNLV.

References

  1. "Our Brand | Kent State University" . Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Softball Record Book (PDF). Kent State University. January 14, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  3. Oldham, Rich (March 29, 1979). "Lady Flashes to make fast-pitch debut". Daily Kent Stater. Vol. LII, no. 83. p. 13. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  4. "Linder Resigns as Kent State's Head Softball Coach". KentStateSports.com. Kent State University. August 29, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  5. Moff, Allen (August 31, 2015). "'Philosophical differences' leads to Linder's resignation as KSU softball coach". Record-Courier . Retrieved May 17, 2016. Subscription required to view entire article
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2016 Mid-American Conference Record Book (PDF). Mid-American Conference. March 24, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  7. "Kent State interim softball coach Eric Oakley named Coach of the Year". Record-Courier . May 11, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  8. Tribune-Democrat, The (June 22, 2023). "St. Francis' O'Donnell accepts softball coaching job at Kent State". The Tribune-Democrat.
  9. "Jessica O'Donnell Named Head Softball Coach". Kent State Golden Flashes. June 21, 2023.
  10. Loomis, Chris. "Ex-KSU tanker Semler is women's swim coach". Daily Kent Stater. Vol. XLIX, no. 43. p. 11.
  11. Fiala, Jennifer (August 19, 1998). "New softball field under construction". Summer Kent Stater. Vol. 82, no. 10. p. 1. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  12. Golden, Alexandra (March 9, 2022). "Board of Trustees name seven university spaces". KentWired.com. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  13. Parasaliti, Bob (May 9, 1979). "Facilities don't facilitate winning sports teams". Daily Kent Stater. Vol. LII, no. 106. p. 5. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  14. Jenne, Melanie (July 16, 1997). "Softball field, cross country course moved to begin work on Rec Center". Summer Kent Stater. Vol. 81, no. 5. p. 5. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  15. "David and Peggy Edmonds Baseball and Softball Training Facility". KentStateSports.com. 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  16. "Schoonover Complex". Building Champions. 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  17. ""PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge" Expands Rivalry Between Akron and Kent State". WagonWheelChallenge.com. 2011. Archived from the original on December 5, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  18. "2018 All-American Awards". National Fastpitch Coaches Association. 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2018.

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