Usama Young Named Host for 2020 Online Auction
4/24/2020 10:09:00 AM | General
KENT, OHIO- Usama Young, Super Bowl champion and member of the 2018 Varsity "K" Hall of Fame class is this year's "guest host" for the annual scholarship auction, which moves to an online format for 2020.
Young, a star defensive back at Kent State was taken in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints after an All-Conference career. Young won the 2009 Super Bowl with the Saints and later played with the Cleveland Browns and Oakland Raiders.
"It's great seeing Usama Young serving as our guest host!," Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen said. "Usama truly represents our mission of "Graduating Student-Athletes and Winning Championships", and as important, he exemplifies #FlashesForever in both his words and actions."
This year's auction takes on a completely digital format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Powered by GiveSmart, the online auction will be open starting at 5 p.m. eastern on May 8th and will close at 5 p.m. eastern on May 17th. The online silent auction features sports memorabilia from legends at Kent State and across all of sports as well as jewelry, experiences and over 100 unique items up for bid.
"The Scholarship Auction provides tremendous support for our Golden Flashes student-athletes," executive director of athletic advancement J Locklier said. "We anticipate our KSU alumni, donors, and fans will enjoy bidding on these items and knowing that their support makes a direct impact on student-athlete scholarship and KSU Athletics!"
Registration is now open for the signature fundraising event for Kent State Athletics. Every dollar raised through the annual auction supports scholarships and ensuring a first-class academic, athletic and social experience for over 400 student-athletes.
"I'm confident our Golden Flashes family will recognize the auction's importance for our student athletes and will support the online version," Nielsen added.
If you'd like to sponsor a scholarship, make a charitable donation to the auction or register to participate, you can do so at KentStateSports.com/Auction.
