M.A.C.C. Readies for Visitors with an Eye on Inclusion
11/6/2023 11:34:00 AM | General, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
KENT- The Memorial Athletic Convocation Center (M.A.C.C) has installed several features to ensure an inclusive and welcoming environment for students, staff and families that utilize the facility.
The M.A.C.C. plays home to five of Kent State Athletics 19 sports teams and is a fixture on Kent State's campus. In addition to athletic contests, the facility serves as the headquarters for the athletic department staff. It plays host to campus events, like convocation and winter graduations, student concerts and community events.
"Inclusion and belonging are part of our core values and the history at Kent State," said Randale L. Richmond, VP and Director of Athletics. "Making our guests feel welcome when they are in our spaces is important and sometimes it's just a small gesture or acknowledgment to make someone feel included. We will continue to find ways to make it as easy as possible for fans to join us and to cheer on the Golden Flashes."
Last winter, a maternity pod was installed in first floor, near Lobby B. The Mamava, designed for breastfeeding parents, meets all workplace and public space lactation laws, and offers keyless entry with the use of a mobile app.
The M.A.C.C., in partnership with KultureCity's sensory inclusive program, is designed to help guests with sensory needs. Upon request, a sensory quiet room is available on game days in addition to sensory bags complete with headphones, fidget toys and identification cards. In addition, sensory inclusive training is offered to staff to further ensure a positive guest experience for those with sensory needs.
In a partnership with campus, and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging division, games in the M.A.C.C. include closed captioning for in-game announcements and displayed on the video boards during athletic contests. In addition, sound enhancing headphones are also available upon request.
During the basketball games this season the relocation of donor seating will provide new available ADA seating in the student section, Flash's Flock. Additional seating for fans and students is available court side next to section E and on the second level between sections one and six behind the Flasher Brass.
For more information on the M.A.C.C, please visit our Know Before You Go to familiarize yourself with the arena.
