The Golden Flashes Club Newsletter
December 2018
December 2018 Newsletter
Mark Your Calendars Now!
8th Annual Athletics Scholarship Auction
We are excited to announce Friday, April 26, 2019 as the date for the 8th Annual Athletics Scholarship Auction! This is Kent State Athletics largest event of the year and is a key contributor to our mission of graduating student-athletes and winning championships.
The evening, hosted in the M.A.C. Center, will feature gourmet food stations, an open bar, the Flasher Brass band, various games and activities, and the chance to meet and mingle with numerous Kent State student-athletes, coaches and Flash.
Make sure to save the date! More information and the event website coming soon!
A Day In The Life of Antwan Dixon
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Accountable, driven, and hard working. These are just some of the characteristics a student-athlete must possess. Kent State Football senior wide receiver, Antwan Dixon, is a prime example of what it means to be a Kent State student-athlete.
In 2015, Dixon was a standout freshman from Fort Myers, Florida. Leading the team in 335 yards on 26 receptions and adding 126 rushing yards made him a force to be reckoned with. However, the blood disorder aplastic anemia (first diagnosed in Dixon when he was a junior in high school) returned, and Dixon was forced to stop taking classes at school. Aplastic anemia is a rare blood disorder that causes the body to stop making blood cells.
Dixon reluctantly received a life-saving bone marrow transplant from his father on April 13, 2017. He was released from the hospital after two weeks (a week ahead of schedule) and told his family he planned to play football again.
In the inaugural season of the #FlashFast Era, Antwan returned to Kent State and has compiled 52 receptions tallying for 532 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Take a look at Antwan's weekly schedule as a student-athlete:
Monday is my day off
Tuesday - Thursday
6 - 7 a.m. Mandatory breakfast
8 a.m. Special teams meeting
8:30 a.m. Position meeting
9:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Practice
12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Class
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Mandatory study hall
3:45 - 5:00 p.m. Class
6:00 p.m. Lifting
7:10 p.m. Post lift shower
8:00 p.m. Get home/Eat dinner
9:00 - 10:30 p.m. Watch film or TV
11:00 p.m. Bedtime
Friday - Day before Game
7:45 a.m. Breakfast
9 a.m. Special teams meeting
9:45 a.m. Group offensive meeting
10:15 a.m. Walk thru
11:30 a.m. Snack
12:55 p.m. Depart for airport/Stadium of opponent
4 p.m. Arrive at hotel
5:15 p.m. Offense meetings
6 p.m. Dinner
8:30 p.m. Team meeting
9 p.m. Snack
10:30 p.m. Bed check
Saturday Schedule differs with the game time but say it’s a 3:30 game
7 a.m. Wake up
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 - 10:30 a.m. Treatment
11 a.m. Special teams walk thru
11:30 a.m. Offensive walk thru
12 p.m. Pregame meal
1:15 p.m. Depart for Stadium
1:30 p.m. Arrive at Stadium
3:30 p.m. Game time
7:30 p.m. Post game meal/Bus ride
Arrive at home between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Sunday - Recovery Day
10:30 - 12 p.m. Treatment
1:15 p.m. Special teams meeting
2 p.m. Team meeting
2:30 p.m. Lift
3:45 p.m. Position meeting
5 p.m. Team run
Basketball Game Day Hospitality
Kent State's Basketball season is underway and The Golden Flashes Club hospitality areas have been relocated! Know where the areas have been moved to and the eligibility requirements to enjoy each area. If you are interested in upgrading or would like more information, please feel free to contact our office at 330-672-2078.
We look forward to seeing you at the M.A.C. Center this season!
Still need to get your game day tickets for men's basketball or for women's basketball? Contact our Athletic Ticket Office at (330) 672-4455.
The Golden Flashes Club VIP Donor Lounge (available on men's and women's basketball game day)
- Annual Donation: $100+
- NEW Location: Second floor atrium of the M.A.C.C.
- Hospitality Includes: Complimentary coffee, cookies, popcorn and a game program. A cash bar is accessible from the time doors open through the end of half-time. Donors will also get to talk strategy with an assistant men's basketball coach/staff during Chalk Talk before tip-off.
Flash’s Nest (available on men's basketball game day)
- Annual Donation: $2,500+
- NEW Location: Courtside in the M.A.C.C.
- Hospitality Includes: Catered meal pre-game and an open bar that is available from the time doors open through the end of half-time. Complimentary game programs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOSPITALITY OPTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT THE GOLDEN FLASHES CLUB AT (330) 672-2078 OR EMAIL ATHLETICSTEWARDSHIP@KENT.EDU.
*Eligibility gifts or payments made for college athletics event seating rights are no longer 80% tax deductible, effective January 1, 2018 per The Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts H.R.I.
Donor Appreciation Days
WE LOVE TO CELEBRATE OUR DONORS!
Mark your calendars now to come out and cheer on your Golden Flashes! Be sure to stop by The Golden Flashes Club table, located at the venue's entrance, to help us celebrate our Donor Appreciation Days! Kent State Athletics is thankful of our donors and will provide a token of our appreciation at the following games:
- Saturday, January 19 - Women's Basketball vs. Central Michigan at the M.A.C. Center (item will be available in TGFC Donor Lounge in the atrium)
- Sunday, January 20 - Gymnastics vs. George Washington at the M.A.C. Center
- Tuesday, January 22 - Men's Basketball vs. Toledo at the M.A.C. Center (item will be available in TGFC Donor Lounge in the atrium and in Flash's Nest)
- Saturday, January 26 - Wrestling vs. Buffalo at the M.A.C. Center
- Saturday, February 16 - Women's Lacrosse vs. Robert Morris at Dix Stadium
We look forward to seeing you at the games!
Future dates, times and locations to be announced SOON. Check back for more information!
Important Dates to Remember
Dec. 1 Gymnastics Season Tickets/Single Meet/Packages on Sale
Dec. 31 The Golden Flashes Club Donation Deadline for 2018 Calendar Year
April 26 8th Annual Athletics Scholarship Auction - SAVE THE DATE
Donor Spotlight - The Kowbell Krew
This month we’re highlighting the Kowbell Krew!
This passionate group of KSU supporters and fans came together in November to provide a matching gift of $3,700 during our Athletic's Crowdfunding Campaign. Thanks to this group of loyal donors, their gifts were able to be matched dollar for dollar toward our 18 different projects.
You can find the Kowbell Krew at each and every one of our sporting events! Their support of Kent State Athletics is overwhelming.
Athletics' Crowdfunding Campaign
Kent State Athletics launched its crowdfunding campaign for the second year on Thursday, Nov. 1 to coincide with Kent State University’s Giving Tuesday campaign. The coaching staff selected projects in benefit of student-athletes in hopes that YOU, their biggest fans would support. The response received to date has been overwhelming.
On the first day the site opened, the campaign received donations from 343 donors in support of 16 athletic programs. By day 2, over $50,000 was raised. As of November 26, over 800 donors helped us surpass the $100,000 mark. A huge thank you to all the supporters of this year’s crowdfunding campaign and a special thank you to The Kowbell Krew and University Hospitals Sports Medicine for providing $8,700 in matching funds to begin the campaign!
We Give Thanks!
“I'm thankful for finding an extended family in Kent State Athletics that makes being away from home so much easier, especially around the holidays.” - Jess Wallis, Women’s Basketball
"I am most thankful for my amazing teammates for always being there to bring a smile to my face and push me to improve!" - Kayleigh Ground, Women's Lacrosse
"I am thankful for all the wonderful memories of working in the athletic department for 20+ years. In that time I have met many wonderful people who have impacted my life. I have a much deeper love for athletics after knowing many of the wonderful student-athletes who have walked the hallways of the MAC and competed at the Division I college level for the love of their sport and the Kent State Golden Flashes. Thank you to all of them for their dedication and commitment to making Kent State Athletics the best place to work!" - Vicki Nader, Athletics Account Clerk II
"This holiday season, I am most thankful for my family, friends and teammates, and all of the people in my life that Kent State has given to me." - Maria Cegledy, Softball
"From earning my Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, completing grad school and now starting my career professionally in Kent State Athletics, I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of the Kent State community for the last decade. The support the community continues to show is amazing. I look forward to many upcoming opportunities to build relationships with our student-athletes and supporters." - Brian Grubich, Assistant Director of The Golden Flashes Club
"I'm thankful for my family on and off of the field." - Connor Wollersheim, Baseball
“As a Kent State staff member, supporter and donor, I am extremely thankful for the ongoing additional hours of selfless and tiring hard-work the Kent State Athletic Advancement office does day-in and day-out. Not only do they raise financial support for Kent State Athletics and student-athletes, but they also go above and beyond to make game day experiences the best they can be. Their commitment to Kent State Athletics as well as the personal time they often forego to serve is often overlooked.” - Paul Krouse, Associate Director of Annual Giving/Project Manager of Advancement Communications, Division of Athletics
"I'm most thankful for my family and the support they give me." - Kain Harris, Men's Basketball
40th Varsity "K" Hall of Fame Induction
On Oct. 20, Kent State inducted its 2018 class into the Varsity “K” Hall of Fame. This 40th induction ceremony took place under the lights of the Kent State Student Center Ballroom. This year’s Hall of Fame class included Kerry de Vries (field hockey coach, 1997-2005), Jenny Eckel (gymnastics, 2000-03), Jamie Fitzpatrick Jones (softball, 2005-08), Anthony Gallas (baseball, 2007-10), Danielle Holt (volleyball, 2002-05), Mike Inge (men's track & field, 2003-07), Eugene Leonard (wrestling, 1979-82), Colleen Ramharak-Dotson (women's track & field, 2002-05) and Usama Young (football, 2003-06).
In addition to the inductees above, the 2000 & 2002 field hockey teams along with the 1958 wrestling team, received Team of Distinction honors. Barbara Donaho was honored as the Varsity “K” person of the year. Scott and Connie Hamilton were named Honorary Varsity “K” Members. Ben Rings was given the award of Distinguished Athletic Alumnus.
Overall, the event was a huge success and featured a large crowd. Every inductee made the trip back to Kent and over 20 team of distinction members were recognized at the ceremony and on the field at halftime. It was wonderful to see some of Kent State's greatest student-athletes in one room.
The 2018 Varsity "K" Flashback All Sports Reunion Was Largest Event To Date!
What a great weekend for the 100th year of Homecoming!
We hope you were able to attend the 7th Annual Varsity "K" FLASHBACK All Sports Reunion.
This event was the largest one to date with over 500 former student-athletes and their families in attendance! We enjoyed sharing the experience with you and the joy it brought everyone to reconnect and reminisce with former teammates about the great times they had here at Kent State University.
Current and former Varsity sports programs were represented at this event, uniting teams of the past and student-athletes of the future. No matter where you go, you will always be a member of the Kent State Golden Flashes! #FlashesForever
We Are Looking Forward To The Upcoming Thank-A-Thon!
What a great year it has been for The Golden Flashes Club! Our student-athletes greatly appreciate your support and want to personally thank YOU for providing a first-class academic and athletic opportunity.
In January 2019, Kent State Athletics will host it's second annual Thank-A-Thon. Student-athletes from each of our varsity sports will be participating. Make sure that we have your most up-to-date contact numbers by updating your information HERE.
We look forward to kicking off 2019 by thanking the people who matter most... YOU!
