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

Yea I do not know if you can say the marketing is much worse than before. I think the 8am start is just too early for most students anyway (students do not get up normally and rarely go to games this time of year anyway). Heck I talked to the band director and they were psyched to play at night, 2am or so, but 8am was a real downer. Combine that with a school/work day and you know the crowd is not going to be large even with a large amount of marketing.

When I was a freshman, I occasionally had trouble making my early (11 AM) class.

(11-17-2010 01:57 PM)burden Wrote:  Why would marketing football hurt basketball attendance? They never marketed basketball anyway. Who knows maybe a few people who tailgated too much will wander over after a game and watch some basketball. I just think both the ABJ and the PD highlighted the negative (as usual) and made Kent look bad to people who know little about the school's athletic program (essentiaaly everyone).

What i was getting at if $$ come out of the basketball program budget to help the football finances,which we all know are at the bottom of d1

Not surprisingly, Ellen made a point of the small crowd, but of course he says nothing about the pitiful attendance at Cleveland State, his new pet team.

I wonder how much of a crowd is a "good" crowd at 8am on a weekday?

(11-17-2010 04:11 PM)Sultan of Euphonistan Wrote:  I wonder how much of a crowd is a "good" crowd at 8am on a weekday?

Good question. This time of year the BBall team does not draw well. I am a season ticket holder and this is probably the only home game I will miss. Believe it or not. some people have to work and believe it or not some students actually go to class.

I know it was good pub and with the lower stands full it looked fine on TV. but how do you really expect much of a crowd on a Tuesday morning in November

Let's see what the crowd is on Friday night!

(11-16-2010 01:42 PM)burden Wrote:  The only way the screamer will leave is if Kent gets so bad she loses interest. Based on that we will just have to put up with her. I know her a little and Kent State sports is a huge part of her life so just learn to turn the screeching out. Her intentions are good.

RIGHT ON, BRO! Look, her name is Heather. I will take 5000 fans like her over the Bull-Sh.. chanting that comes from student sections across the nation or F-Bombs that drop from the rafters ANY DAY. She loves Kent State and goes to every gloomy football game and every b-ball event. If there is someone that can annoy a bench during timeouts, it is Heather. Like my KKPsi big always said: "cope and deal." She is a loyal fan in every respect.

Oh I love the fervor and I do prefer it to the vulgar language cheers, but I have to say I am happy she is down by the saxes rather up by the low brass (hey I need to concentrate to memorize my music so I do not need a flip folder, I HATE flip folders).

EDIT: Speaking of cheers I think it is sad that my favorite cheer at KSU all time is the Palagrino (sorry about spelling) from my first couple years. I feel bad for the guy but that cheer was infectious.

(11-17-2010 05:19 PM)Sultan of Euphonistan Wrote:  EDIT: Speaking of cheers I think it is sad that my favorite cheer at KSU all time is the Palagrino (sorry about spelling) from my first couple years. I feel bad for the guy but that cheer was infectious.

Heck, he didn't feel bad. Like me, he got to play at the Eleit 8.

Well the last year I saw him it looked like he was getting tired of being called to play while we were up by 30, but maybe I was putting too much thinking into the situation.

To comment on some of the above posts, in no particular order:

(1) Gordon Gee does whatever the football and basketball programs tell him to do.

(2) It's too late for Henniger to redshirt, unless he gets "injured" soon. For a non-medical redshirt you cannot play even one second. Per David Carducci, the plan was to redshirt him this year, until it became obvious that Nealy will still take a while to get ready. I don't think there are any concerns about Henniger on the offensive end; the concern is about his strength to defend the interior.

(3) I actually overslept once for an 11:00 AM class once, too.

(4) yeah, it seems Clevo State was added to Elton's beat, and he seems to fawn over all things Clevo just like he does (did?) Akron.

(5) I agree with some of you about Manns. He should help, but I don't see stardom in his future,

The BrashFlash family had a great time yesterday. Kept the kids out of school yesterday morning because they weren't feeling great... They made it to school for 4th period and I think they'll remember the day mom and dad let them skip to watch the Flashes longer then they'll retain what they may have learned in those first four periods.

Off topic- Did anyone notice how much Brighter the gym at St Mary's looked yesterday morning compared to when the Flashes played there for the Bracket Buster?

(11-17-2010 06:22 PM)BrashFlash Wrote:  Off topic- Did anyone notice how much Brighter the gym at St Mary's looked yesterday morning compared to when the Flashes played there for the Bracket Buster?

No i did not notice, but this is one thing I wish KSU would do.

I forget why I was in the MACC earlier this fall, but they did not have all of those dingy orange lights on.

The MACC looked so much better with those orange lights off and actually brightened the place.

I noticed outside on the facade that was added, that they go back and forth between orange and white lights. Unfortunately, they had the dingy orange lights outside the MACC Tuesday morning. The entrance looks so much better with the white lights.

Just a personal pet peeve, but I know it really is not a big deal.

I have overslept for a 1:05 pm class before so 8am is right out, except I was in the band so I would be there anyway .

(11-17-2010 10:30 AM)JimJoyce Wrote:  Just finished reading the ABJ article about the game. It actually made some decent points.

Lefton not adjusting the academic schedule was idiotic, yet not surprising. He will just never, ever get what sports means to an institution of higher learning. Lefton needs to realize ESPN is probably never going to come to Bowman Hall to televise a psychology lecture or history exam live.

The bottom line is KSU does not have a great student fan base. The ones who consistently come and support are phenomenal but it's such a miniscule number compared to what could be there. At some schools they wake up well before our game was tipped just to have the OPPORTUNITY to get tickets for a future game.

I could not agree more! The importance of athletics on a college campus has eluded Dr. Lefton for whatever reason. I know that I have read that successful football programs actually are a factor, among many obviously, that influence prospective students on where they choose to pursue higher education. It also amazes me that more students do not attend the basketball games. I have season tix for KSU football and hoops, and I can't tell you how many times I have sat in the MAC, looking at a half-empty student section. I can understand football, but with a consistently winning hoops program?

I would say the worst part about student attendence at basketball games is the fact the farthest dorm is no more then a 10 minute walk away. Plus the buses run all day long so even when its cold out they can catch the bus to the game.

I was happy to see the goodyear blimp flying high as I was driving into Kent. It annoys me a bit when we get televised games the Akron ones in particular and the blimp is no where in sight. Then turn on the OSU game or some other random game and there is the blimp flying down there. The blimp provides great views of the game and campus. From what I saw on the monitors it was showing off the campus. What better way is there to show the campus then during a game. Also wish the blimp would have mentioned the game on its ticker instead of what they had on there.

I remember student teaching with the Springfield Spartan marching Band and that blimp would fly over us during rehearsal every day.

Sultan, are you sure it wasn't Bill Livingston of the Plain Dealer?

(11-17-2010 09:23 PM)flashesfan21 Wrote:  

(11-17-2010 10:30 AM)JimJoyce Wrote:  Just finished reading the ABJ article about the game. It actually made some decent points.

Lefton not adjusting the academic schedule was idiotic, yet not surprising. He will just never, ever get what sports means to an institution of higher learning. Lefton needs to realize ESPN is probably never going to come to Bowman Hall to televise a psychology lecture or history exam live.

The bottom line is KSU does not have a great student fan base. The ones who consistently come and support are phenomenal but it's such a miniscule number compared to what could be there. At some schools they wake up well before our game was tipped just to have the OPPORTUNITY to get tickets for a future game.

I could not agree more! The importance of athletics on a college campus has eluded Dr. Lefton for whatever reason. I know that I have read that successful football programs actually are a factor, among many obviously, that influence prospective students on where they choose to pursue higher education. It also amazes me that more students do not attend the basketball games. I have season tix for KSU football and hoops, and I can't tell you how many times I have sat in the MAC, looking at a half-empty student section. I can understand football, but with a consistently winning hoops program?

FWIW, LL had a golden opportunity to drop kick football last spring and instead he pumped in significant personal sweat equity and bucks to save it. I have an unpublished number in an off the record story, but I wish someone in the media would publish the whole 90KSU story when all is said and done. Then you can evaluate for yourself whether LL supports athletics.

LL is not a sports fan. I wish he was because I am, but he’s not. IMO, his presence and enthusiasm at games would help his image a lot, but it’s just not his thing (although he thoroughly gets into the Akron rivalry.) Just because he’s not as enthusiastic about sports as we are doesn’t mean he doesn’t “get it.” Talk to him about his experience at Tulane when they dropped football or his experience at GW with fans begging to bring football back. He’s learned the role of athletics with some pretty searing experiences. So, he’s hired a aggressive young AD to lead the group whose hired a sidekick one man hurricane. To me, a smart leader knows what’s important and not in their sweet spot, then hires to fill the gap. That’s what LL’s done.

Finally, LL’s made some decisions that are certainly out of the culture for KSU and some he probably wishes he could take back. He’s a bit of an acquired taste. But overall, between shaking things up at KSU, rebuilding the relationship with the City of Kent then making the link between a revitalized Kent and more desirable KSU, he’s done a pretty good job.

Early on, I was critical of LL because it became obvious that he was not a fan of athletics. Our FB program has made it easy to be critical of any administrator at KSU as it has permeated the entire community. Recently, I have changed my tune. I do not know LL personally, however, I do know how to gauge results. What he has done in changing the direction of University - City relations and vision, catches my eye. No one, in my more than 25 years in the area, has had any type of vision for the two, and more importantly, the guts to lead the effort. It is obvious also, that LL has a vision for KSU being a more prestigious beacon in the academic world. He also, has alienated some of the status-quo types in the area, and that is a good sign.

As for athletics and LL, he may not be a fan, but in view of the above, I have a feeling that he must see that good athletics must be a part of the "Excellence" campaign. He can not meet his vision with the most visible program in the University being a disgrace. Therefore, LL, go for it.