Golden Flashes Announce FlaSHEs WILL Campaign
10/17/2022 10:27:00 AM | General
KENT- The Golden Flashes Athletic Department is excited to announce the FlaSHEs WILL giving campaign as part of the 50 years of Title IX year-long celebration.
The FlaSHEs WILL campaign provides scholarship and other program resources to our female student-athletes and athletic programs. Judy Devine, M.A. '70 Emeritus Senior Associate Athletics Director, has established the Judith K. Devine Equity Endowment. All funds raised through the FlaSHEs WILL campaign will directly benefit the Devine Equity Endowment.
"This fund will help support Kent State Athletics as it strives for Title IX equity, and I am confident that our current university and athletics administrators share that pledge as well," Devine said. "We have set a target of receiving at least 50 gifts to celebrate 50 years of Title IX, and I believe we resilient pioneers of Title IX will rise to the call!"
Following the passing of Title IX legislation in 1972, varsity women's athletics started at Kent State in 1975. Â In those 47 years, Kent State has been a dominant force within the Mid-American Conference. The Golden Flashes have won 11 Jacoby Trophies, given annually to the top women's athletic program in the Mid-American Conference. In the 39 years that the award has been presented, the Flashes have finished in the top two 20 times.
"This campaign was created to continue growing a first-class, Division-I experience for our female student-athletes both in and out of competition," Director of Athletics Randale Richmond said. "FlaSHEs WILL sets us up for continued success and will greatly enhance our mission to graduate student-athletes, boldly prepared for life after sport and win championships."
Since 1975, the Flashes have won 65 Mid-American Conference tournament championships, 36 regular season crowns and 22 eastern division titles. Four student-athletes have represented the Golden Flashes in the Olympic Games and Danniel Thomas-Dodd won the 2017 shot put title at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
The growth of Kent State women's athletics has never been stronger. In the past five years, the Flashes added women's lacrosse as the 11th women's varsity sport, won back-to-back Jacoby Titles (2021-22) and major facility upgrades have been announced for softball and gymnastics through a partnership with the University Budgetary Resources.
This past week, the Golden Flashes announced the Ready FLASH program, becoming the first Mid-American Conference school to distribute Alston funds for excellence in the classroom. The FlaSHEs WILL campaign will serve to continue to accelerate the continued growth of women's athletics at Kent State.
For more information on the FlaSHEs Will campaign and ways to support, go to kentstatesports.com/FlashesWill
