Flashes dedicate Isaac Newton Perkins Endowed Scholarship
1/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
The Kent State-Ohio State meet was halted at 7:05 p.m. for a short program and dedication in Perkins' memory near the long jump pit in the Field House. A plaque in Perkins' honor will be mounted in that area.
Kent State Athletics also is establishing the Isaac Newton Perkins Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will recognize a Kent State male or female student-athlete that has demonstrated academic and athletic success. Donations can be made to the scholarship fund by mailing to Kent State Athletic Development Office, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, Ohio, 44242-0001.
"Isaac was an integral part of our program and this department," Director of Track and Field Bill Lawson said. "Many of his teammates and administrators have indicated to me that Isaac was Kent State Track and Field. His spirit and dedication were what sport is all about and his joy and enthusiasm will continue to be missed. We are very pleased as a staff to be able to recognize Isaac and his family."
Perkins had spent three years working in the compliance department following his graduation. He was a graduate assistant for two years, then served as an assistant compliance coordinator, overseeing the day-to-day operations in the department for compliance, financial aid and the academic progress rate.
"I am proud to recognize Isaac's commitment to our academic success and to the development of our academic progress rate and graduation success rate initiatives, playing a significant role in that area," Associate Athletic Director Bob Heller said.
"Isaac's belief in his faith and his trust in God were extraordinary," Heller continued. "He tackled all the odds and beat every prediction, but all the while he fought with a smile and a trust in the Lord."
Prior to that, Perkins was a four-year letterwinner for the Kent State track and field team, performing in the long jump and triple jump. He still ranks among Kent State's all-time top 10 list in the outdoor triple jump with a mark of 49-3 in 2002. He served as captain of the squad his senior year and was instrumental in the 2000 MAC Outdoor Championship, the first conference title the team had won in 25 years.
Perkins earned a bachelor's degree from Kent State in 2002, then earned his master's degree in sport administration in 2004.
In August 2004, Perkins was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, primary sarcoma of the brain, and was one of only 20 people in the world known to have had the disease. He initially had a golf ball-sized tumor removed from his brain, but the tumor would return just months later in the same spot.
Perkins then underwent six weeks of radiation treatment that lasted until December 2004. The following month, he tested cancer free, but by April 2005, three new sarcomas had returned. While being operated on for a third time, doctors discovered a fourth. From there he underwent chemotherapy treatment and ultimately returned to the hospital just days prior to his passing.
Through his entire ordeal, Perkins was strengthened and supported by his faith and the love of his wife, family and friends. While he was initially given just weeks to live, Perkins beat all odds and survived 15 months after diagnosis. All the while making statements like:
"I don't care if research says I only have about a 10 percent chance of living, I have too much to accomplish," and "the main thing that has gotten me through this is my faith in God, my wife and our friends. This trial is not over...but from this experience I have learned lessons that a master's curriculum cannot teach. What I have learned is that sometimes it takes an experience like this to get any sense of how God manifests Himself through people. As often as others are praying for me, I am praying for them."
The plaque reads:
• Isaac Newton Perkins
• November 13, 1979-November 9, 2005
• Student, Athlete, Administrator, Assistant Compliance Director
• Bachelor of General Studies, Kent State University, May 2002
• Master of Arts, Sports Administration, Kent State University, May 2004
• A four-year letter winner for the Kent State track and field team, performing in the long jump and triple jump. Ranks among Kent State's all-time top 10 in the outdoor triple jump with a mark of 49-3 in 2002. Served as captain his senior year and was instrumental in the 2000 MAC Outdoor Championship, the first conference title the team had won in 25 years. Following graduation was employed by Kent State Athletics as the Assistant Compliance Director.
• Leader by example, beloved husband, son, brother, friend to all, a "warrior" on the track and disciple of God.
• "Relationships are Everything."
