Softball
- Title:
- Volunteer Assistant
Coaching veteran Don Duffy joined the Kent State staff as a volunteer assistant in the fall of 2011. A member of the Summit County Softball Hall of Fame, Duffy spent 23 seasons in the dugout at Tallmadge High School, including 12 years as the head coach.
From 1984-2006, the THS softball team won six state titles and 13 district championships with a combined record of 541-104. The Blue Devils also had a pair of state runner-up finishes during that time, along with 10 regional crowns, 10 Suburban League titles and four Metro conference titles.
"Having Coach Duffy as a part of our staff is extremely beneficial as he brings a wealth of knowledge and coaching experience to our program," Head Coach Karen Linder said. "I have always had a strong connection with Tallmadge High School softball because they have a strong tradition of winning championships. Their players are driven to win and Coach Duffy was an integral part of their storied success."
Approximately 40 Tallmadge players from Duffy’s era went on to play NCAA Division I softball, including current Golden Flashes’ outfielder Lauren Grimes. Other former Blue Devils to play at Kent State include Leah Archual, Tammy Stires and Ashley Fairhurst. A number of Duffy's former players also competed for Linder at Ashland University, prior to her arrival at Kent State.
Duffy earned a bachelor's degree in education from Kent State in 1976 and a master's degree in 1978. He began his professional career as a teacher at Cuyahoga Falls and coached football, basketball and volleyball. He also spent a number of summers working with Tallmadge Little League and the Tallmadge Blue Devil youth program.
Duffy was also a guidance counselor at Tallmadge High School for 30 years, where he retired from in the summer of 2011. Don's wife Debbie ('76), and daughters Erin ('07) and Shannon ('10) are all Kent State graduates.
