The unofficial online home for fans of the Kent State University Golden Flashes. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Okay, now you're really hit a nerve, nashville.

I oculd not agree with you more than downtown Kent is a dump and apparently on the downslide from there. Here's how I'll cut ot the chase. Ever since the shootings in 1970, the City of Kent has wanted to distance itself from KSU. The biggest symbol of this is that stupid bypass that seperates the campus from the rest of town, serving as the permanent "You stay on your side...we'll stay on ours" sign. Fine. But they lost the bet...KSU has thrived while Kent has declined.

KSU is the ecomonic engine for the city and could be even more so. I reference you to the posting from today's Record Courier citing the patents, businesses and research dollars KSU has brought to NE Ohio. Other than Kent Displays, the city of Kent has realized very little of this. I argue that the environment contributes to this problem. Want to have potential customers or partners visit your business in Kent? Where do they stay? Where do they eat? Want to host a conference or meet with investors? Find a business worthy meeting facility that's not at the University, and frankly, try to find one available there when classes are in session.

The University and the City did have an agreement to enhance the businesss relationship between the two. The "Campus Link" project would build accessibility via walkways and common businesses, so the students and alumni you refer to could have a walk in a park like setting all the way through the University to downtown. The highlight is the much discussed hotel and conference center, driven by some crazy notion that perhaps if there was a option to host a meeting or conference, incremental revenue ( not ot mention jobs) oculd be gained via room rates and meals. This doesn't even consider the family visitors or alumni would would likely stay in Kent if they had any decent option. The University is moving ahead on it's part, putting the walkway thorugh the campus and planning to raise the conference center funds. Many members of the City Council and Chamber are very supportive, but by the reaction of others, you'd think the plan was to put in a nuclear waste dump.

Okay, my final rant is about the generally antagonistic treatment of the students by the City. I know 18-22 years olds can do stupid things and there have been instances of misbehavior that should be addressed. But the over policing of citizen infractions and the under enforcement of things like housing codes sends the "we don't really want you here" message. If the City wants the students to stick around and spend their money in Kent, then a more hospitable atmosphere would help.

Before closing, I realize mine is a very one sided view. I'd appreciate the view from the City's perspective. Also, Kent has several leaders and business people are good role models for mutual aid and growth. The owners of DuBois, Ray's and Glory Days are a few I know of that do more than take the students' money, and there must be others that contribute back in their own ways.

I've calmed down now.

FlashFan, I appreciate your honesty. I was afraid that I would be accused of being too negative with respect to my recent postings. As you know I try to be positive when it comes to KSU but like you, I have to be honest with my assessment of KSU and the community.

It is too bad that the relationship between the university and the city is not more amicable than it is. I find it ironic that Northeastern Ohio is the most progressive part of the state yet Kent seems to be stuck in a time warp.

I will always love KSU, but can’t help believe it will ever fully realize its full potential. I agree with you that the university is doing its part to progress but unfortunately it needs the support of the Kent community and Northeastern Ohio to fully develop.

Kent State has always been considered a commuter school with many of its students returning home for the weekend. It was that way when I went to school there and it will probably always be that way. Because of this, attendance at football games will continue to be low relative to school enrollment and local businesses will not flourish compared to others in Athens or Oxford on weekends.

Where's the discussed conference center located? Is it near the old Delta Gamma house by the intersection of Main and Lincoln? I'm bad with Kent's street names so please forgive me.

With the passage of the new eminent domain laws by the Supreme Court we should be able to knock down any off campus student housing we desire. I've not seen a single house within 10 blocks of campus that is worth saving if we're talking about putting in a Marriott conference center. Let me be the one to light the match PLEASE!!! ha-ha

BTW, the original master plan for Campus Link had Main St being closed to traffic from the Haymacker Bypass to Dypester St to create an out door mall. Doubt that will happen.

I'm only going by memory here, which is dangerous, but recall the plan was to have the conference center/hotel complex directly across Summit from the campus - in the block that would currently include the DG house. Don't know what hotel would come in; the impression is if we build a conference center, we could get a commitment from one of the franchise chains. Some of the franchisers hold several "brands," like Marriott, Hilton, Holiday Inn, etc.

Don't have anything but hope, but it's my impression that a slight majority in Kent favors the plan...at least judging by the last council primary elections as a few of its staunchest allies survived lively challenges. If just some of the Campus Link master plan happens it will be an improvement for the city and for KSU.

BTW, nashville, I should have made it clear that you didn't hit a nerve, but the topic is a different story.

As usual, the DKS speaks for me. See their editorial on KSU- Kent relations.

<a href='http://www.stateronline.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/04/06/42535dd228900?in_archive=1' target='_blank'>http://www.stateronline.com/vnews/display....00?in_archive=1</a>

BTW, for anyone who is interested, searching the Stater for Campus link projects will bring up plans and the debate.

After reading the editorial regarding the current relationship between KSU students and the city of Kent, I couldn’t help but think that similar problems exist between OU students and the residents of Athens. Through simple research via the Internet, I came across two articles that suggest that town and gown relations in Athens is not much better than what Kent is currently experiencing.

Two sources worth reading can be accessed by clicking the following links:

<a href='http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/archives/101698/401.html' target='_blank'>http://thepost.baker.ohiou.edu/archives/10...101698/401.html</a>

<a href='http://www.athensnews.com/issue/article.php3?story_id=20799' target='_blank'>http://www.athensnews.com/issue/article.ph...?story_id=20799</a>

When comparing KSU and OU, I see commonality with respect to socioeconomic and academic background. The typical student at Kent and OU value education but at the same time like to have a good time during the weekend. Although I would argue that OU students probably party more than Kent students, the reputations of both schools suggest that a small percentage of students from these institutions will occasionally cause problems with local business owners. Because most OU students remain on campus over the weekend, the town of Athens does not see a significant drop in the number of students around town on Friday and Saturday nights like you find in Kent. KSU students prefer to go home for the weekend because they believe there is much more to do in their communities at home. In Athens, the townies have to put up with “disruptive

From my impressions, the biggest differences between Kent and Athens are location and size. Athens has not had much choice in whether it gets along with the U. It is so small, it depends heavily upon the university for economic success. Athens is much more the small college town. Kent is much larger, especially in the sense that it is connected to other towns and cities in the area: Stow, Ravenna, Cuy. Falls, Akron etc. Athens is alone in the wilderness, really. In this sense, while a larger university, KSU is a smaller piece of the local economy, and therefore less able to control its destiny. In Athens, when OU sneezes, the town grabs a handerchief (though not always happily).

I've always wondered by adults who are looking for peace and tranquility choose to live 4 blocks from the second largest university in the state and then complain about loud music and kids carrying-on ???? If you don't like that scene then why the heck do you live there?

A lot of college towns are considered the nicest places to live in America (Madison, WI; Chapel Hill, etc) and there's no way the kids at those schools are any less quiet than KSU students. Kent is a shite hole and always will be because it's run by a bunch of neo-Commie zealots who know as much about running a vibrant organization as I do about operating a peace march.

New pictures of the Field Turf project. Sure looks better than the astro. Now if we could just do something about those rust stains (I think that what they are) in the stands. And while they are at it, close in the bottom front of the end zone stands so they look more finished. I hope that when this project is all done that the Athletic Dept springs for some professional grade, wide angle, PR photos of the stadium on a nice day for the website.

<a href='http://www.kentstatesports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=&url_article_id=2167&change_well_id=2' target='_blank'>Field Turf Installation</a>

The updates on the official sight look good. I really think, when completed, this is going to be a major upgrade to Dix, at least aesthetically. Now I know this was a few years ago, and Dix has changed a bit, but I remember the original natural grass turf and the way it brought the stadium "together". In my opinion, it made it a more intimate place. I don't know if it was the hue of the grass or what, but it just seemed "tighter". It felt like a stadium, as opposed to 4 separate grandstands surrounding green concrete, as Dix has looked over the last few years, particularly as the Astroturf faded.

By the looks of the few pictures on the sight, I think the FieldTurf is going to give Dix some needed cosmetic improvement.

Reno79 - I totally agree with your opinion of "closing in the bottom front of the endzone". As an example, while maybe not an appropriate comparison, check out what they did at the <a href='http://www.collegegridirons.com/mac/images/rubber151.jpg' target='_blank'>Rubber Bowl</a> and what they did with those old walls.....

Looking forward to seeing the final product...

I agree, the new turf does make the stadium look better. As you guys have said, now just to fix up a couple more things around there, and we have a great place to see a game.

Maybe I'm crazy but I would have liked to see them do something like Boise State and their Smurf Turf. They get alot of publicity for the blue turf, ESPN likes to show highlights of their home games. ANy extra pub would help.

Polish Hammer Wrote:Maybe I'm crazy but I would have liked to see them do something like Boise State and their Smurf Turf.&nbsp; They get alot of publicity for the blue turf, ESPN likes to show highlights of their home games.&nbsp; ANy extra pub would help.

Heavens no!!!

Polish Hammer Wrote:Maybe I'm crazy but I would have liked to see them do something like Boise State and their Smurf Turf. They get alot of publicity for the blue turf, ESPN likes to show highlights of their home games. ANy extra pub would help.

For some reason, I think if we did that we would be ridiculed for a long time. Not all pub is good pub. I really like the new turf. I just wish the website updated more frequently.

Reno79......check it out....looks like you'll get you wish.....I'm posting this pic on the main board in the "show us your house" thread. Looks damn good!!!!

KSUDan Wrote:

Polish Hammer Wrote:Maybe I'm crazy but I would have liked to see them do something like Boise State and their Smurf Turf.&nbsp; They get alot of publicity for the blue turf, ESPN likes to show highlights of their home games.&nbsp; ANy extra pub would help.

For some reason, I think if we did that we would be ridiculed for a long time. Not all pub is good pub. I really like the new turf. I just wish the website updated more frequently.

Are you kidding me? Dark blue turf would R-O-C-K!!!!! Add some gold endzones and the Dix surface would look sweet indeed.

Wow sounds like IUP...Great and fun school but sometimes there was that "Air" in the community that we were invaders into thier town..and the Indiana Police were there to uphold "you kids better not step out of line attitude" instead of embracing us a little more...If we were not there that town would have dried up with the mines a long time ago...some of these communities need to be thankful...very thankful for havein an institution in thier backyard and need to support it

Looks like they are painting the concrete blue! They are actually painting something at DIX!!!!!

The Flash Wrote:Looks like they are painting the concrete blue! They are actually painting something at DIX!!!!!

It looks great! Its amazing what painting the concrete does for the look, and feel of the stadium.