FlaSHEsWill
Celebrating 50 Years of Kent State Women's Athletics
We are pleased to announce the launch of our FlaSHEs WILL Campaign, which will provide scholarship funds and other programmatic resources for our incredible Kent State female student-athletes. Judy Devine, M.A. '70, Emeritus Senior Associate Athletics Director, has established the Judith K. Devine Equity Endowment with a commitment of $25,000 per year for the next 10 years with the goal of supporting Kent State Athletics as it strives for Title IX equity.
We have set a target of receiving at least 50 gifts to celebrate 50 years of Title IX. Every gift will be used to ensure a brighter future for women's athletics at Kent State. Will you consider making a gift - either as an annual pledge, a monthly gift or a one-time gift to support the Judith K. Devine Equity Endowment Fund?
"I believe we resilient pioneers of Title IX will rise to the call! Will you please consider being part of our "FlaSHEs WILL" campaign? By Flashes Helping Flashes and by giving back, the future is Forever Brighter because of each of our efforts." - Judy K. Devine
The FlaSHEs WILL Campaign was created to highlight the rich history of Kent State Women's Athletics over the last 50 years and the incredible female student-athletes who have represented the Golden Flashes.
Following the passing of Title IX legislation in 1972, varsity women's athletics started at Kent State in 1975. Since then, our women's teams have been a dominant force in the Mid-American Conference. Kent State has won 11 Jacoby Trophies, given annually to the top women's athletic program within the Mid-American Conference. Since the Mid-American Conference began giving out the award in 1983, the Golden Flashes have won or finished runner-up in 20 of the 39 years it has been presented.
The Golden Flashes have won 65 Mid-American Conference tournament titles, 36 regular season titles and 22 eastern division titles. Four student-athletes have represented the Golden Flashes in the Olympics and Danniel Thomas-Dodd won a NCAA Championship, capturing the 2017 shot put crown.
The growth behind women's athletics at Kent State has never been stronger. In the past five years, the Golden Flashes added its 11th women's sport in women's lacrosse, won back-to-back Jacoby Titles (2021-2022) and major facility upgrades were announced or gymnastics and softball through a partnership with the University Capital Fund.
The FlaSHEs WILL campaign was created to keep the momentum growing for a first-class athletic experience both athletically and academically. The new campaign positions Kent State to continue its dominant success within the Mid-American Conference and continue to fulfill our mission to graduate student-athletes, boldly prepared for life after sport and win championships.
