Varsity "K" Awards Criteria
6/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | General
Varsity “K” Person of the Year
This honor is awarded to an individual who has made significant and longstanding contributions of time, effort and talent to the improvement and continual success of Kent State Athletics. Also, the honoree has demonstrated a commitment to athletic success and leadership, as well as the University community.
Selection: Decision made by the Kent State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
Presented: During Homecoming weekend
Awarded: A trophy
Distinguished Athletic Alumnus
This award was established to recognize former Kent State University athletes who have distinguished themselves in their chosen professional field.
Qualifications: Nominees must have been a member of a recognized varsity team and have graduated from Kent State University at least 10 years prior to selection.
Nomination: Any registered Varsity “K” member or anyone affiliated with the Kent State Intercollegiate Athletic Department may nominate a person to be honored. Letters of nomination can be sent to KSU Varsity “K” Club, 187 MAC Center, PO Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242.
Selection: Majority vote of the Hall of Fame Screening Committee
Presented: At the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Awarded: A plaque
Honorary Varsity “K”
A person who over a considerable length of time has made significant personal contributions of time and effort to the student-athletes and the Intercollegiate Athletic program of Kent State University.
Examples: Trainer, Coach, Equipment Manager, SID, Team Physician, Friend of Kent State Athletics, Faculty Athletic representative
Nomination Process: Any registered Varsity “K” member or anyone affiliated with the Kent State Intercollegiate Athletic Department may nominate a person to be honored. Letters of nomination can be sent to KSU Varsity “K” Club, 187 MAC Center, PO Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242.
Selection: Majority vote of the Hall of Fame Screening Committee
Presented: At the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Awarded: A Varsity “K” lapel pin, member card and an embroidered letterman's jacket
Hall of Fame Inductee
To pay tribute to former athletes and coaches who through the years have brought recognition to Kent State University Athletics, and who continued to demonstrate in their daily lives core values learned in intercollegiate athletics.
Eligibility:
1. An athlete must earn at least two varsity letters in one sport or a single letter in multiple sports or have brought great recognition to Kent State University through their athletic accomplishments in order to be considered.
2. A student-athlete must be at least a First Team All-Conference and/or All-District/All-Region selection.
3. A student-athlete is eligible to be considered for induction following a minimum of five years from the student-athlete's last date of enrollment.
4. All eligible athletes are considered for ten years before they are removed from the list. The only exceptions to the ten year consideration are Associated Press All-Americans who remain on the list indefinitely. Indefinite status will be at the discretion of the Director of Athletic Communications for individuals named to sport-specific All-American teams.
5. No more than eight athletes and one coach or athletic administrator may be selected to the Hall of Fame in a single year. No more than two athletes from the same sport may be inducted in the same year. The number of inductees per year is at the discretion of the Screening Committee.
6. Any member serving on the Hall of Fame Screening or Voting Committees cannot be considered eligible for induction during his/her term.
Nomination: All former letter winners that meet the eligibility requirements are considered. Nominations are not accepted, but information sent on an eligible athlete's behalf will be presented to the Screening Committee. Materials can be sent to KSU Varsity “K” Club, 187 MAC Center, PO Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242.
Procedure:
1. The Screening Committee shall consist of seven members whose duty shall be to prepare and present a ballot to the Voting Committee listing in alphabetical order eligible candidates who have been identified as a top-25 nomination by any four of the seven members of the Screening Committee. Once the ballot has been determined, the Screening Committee assumes the responsibility of investigating that each athlete has been a responsible citizen according to the high ideals of intercollegiate athletics. Additionally, this committee shall elect the Coach/Administrator inductee, Distinguished Alumnus and Honorary Varsity “K” member by a majority vote.
2. Screening Committee Members (7):
a. Director of Athletics
b. Senior Women's Administrator
c. Director, Athletic Communications
d. Athletic Department Historian
e. Longest tenured member of the Athletic Department's Senior Staff, excluding the AD and SWA
f. Coordinator of Varsity “K”
g. KSU Alumni Association representative
3. Each Screening Committee member shall identify their top-25 choices of the athletes presented in the Hall of Fame Nominee booklet based upon:
a. The athlete's participation while attending KSU
b. His/her contributions to the team and sportsmanship
c. Accomplishments after leaving the University
d. Voting shall be on merit only and never of a political nature
4. Veterans Clause: In order to fairly consider athletes that participated during the 1970's and before, the ballot must include at least five (5) individuals who lettered during the 1970's or before. If this representation is not achieved in the top-25 vote getters, the Screening Committee is responsible for choosing the 5 “veterans” that will be included on the ballot. (Revised Sept 2007)
5. Voting Committee Members (13 total, 11 voting members):
a. President of Kent State University or a named representative
b. Director of Athletics
c. Senior Woman Administrator
d. Director, Athletic Communications
e. Coordinator of Varsity “K” (oversees process, but non-voting member)
f. Local Sports Journalist (2-year term)
g. An Honorary Varsity “K” Member, (2-year term)
h. Three Registered Varsity “K” members (4-year term)
i. Two current KSU coaches (1-year term)
j. Chair of the National Athletic Development Council (NADC)
6. Each Voting Committee member shall cast a vote for their top eight choices of the athletes presented on the ballot based upon:
a. The athlete's participation while attending KSU
b. His/her contributions to the team and sportsmanship
c. Accomplishments after leaving the University
d. Voting shall be on merit only and never of a political nature
e. The highest vote getters will comprise the induction class
7. Veterans Clause: In order to fairly consider athletes that participated during the 1970's and before, at least one (1) individual elected for induction must have lettered during the 1970's or before. If a “veteran” is not elected for induction through the initial vote, the Voting Committee is responsible for choosing the “veteran” that will be inducted. (Revised Sept 2007)
8. The three registered Varsity “K” members will be selected for a 4-year term (except for members of the 2008 committee, which will have one person selected for a two year term, a second person selected for a three year term, and a third person selected for a four year term).
9. The local sports journalist, honorary Varsity “K” member, and three registered Varsity “K” members will be appointed by the Athletic Director and Athletic Communications Director of Kent State University. The three selected Varsity “K” members must be eight or more years apart in their enrollment dates at Kent State University.
10. The Screening Committee selects all future replacements to the committee, except the Athletic Director and the Director of Athletic Communications of Kent State University will appoint KSU coaches serving on the Voting Committee.
11. The coordinator of Varsity “K” will write an evaluation of the process following each selection with recommendations for changes, if necessary. All changes to the Hall of Fame procedure must be approved by the Screening Committee.
Time of Election: The Screening Committee meets in early July, and ballots are mailed to Voting Committee members in late July. The Voting Committee will meet in August to determine the final class.
Announcement of Class: The results of the selection will be released to the general public during Homecoming weekend.
Presentation: The class (athletes & coach/administrator) will be honored at the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony along with the Honorary Varsity “K” member and Distinguished Alumnus.
Awarded: A Hall of Fame patch and plaque
