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

Allen Moff of the Record-Courier authored a three-part, in-depth article concerning the first year of the AD, Randale Richmond. Overall, some very good accomplishments. But I was a disappointed (but not surprised) with the absolute lack of mention of alumni & Varsity K (of which I am not a member). There is no mention of alumni or Varsity K in the three articles. And the following quoted paragraph only emphasizes the apparent lack of forethought for including alumni in future planning.

From the third article...

Fundraising remains a critical and challenging component to the success of Kent State athletics. Where are you with fundraising after year one compared to where you expected to be?
Richmond: “It is a challenge, but I feel great about the irons we have in the fire. It’s all about the hustle and the grind, just getting in front of people and trying to align their passions with our purpose. The university support that we’re getting right now, resources to be able to be successful in this space in terms of the structure, in terms of athletics being part of the campaign — we weren’t part of the campaign before — with [Associate Vice President, Communications and Outreach] Leigh Greenfelder and [Vice President, Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and CEO, KSU Foundation] Valoree Vargo over there and [Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Advancement] Maggie McKendry so connected. I feel great about that, feel great about our approach. Now, fundraising is going to be a challenge. There’s no blueprint for it. We can’t bemoan that. We’ve just got to hit it with as much as we can, so we can look back and say we did everything we could in this space to have success."

First time I ever heard that KSU has a VP of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement. Would be nice to receive an email from VP Greenfelder since I am engaged alumni.

Having no blueprint for fundraising is pretty telling.

#GoFlashes

I haven't received a single phone call from anyone in the athletic dept. in well over a year. If they want a donation they are doing a piss poor job of acting like it.

(06-26-2022 10:10 PM)dannyb73 Wrote:  I haven't received a single phone call from anyone in the athletic dept. in well over a year. If they want a donation they are doing a piss poor job of acting like it.

Me either. All i received was an email with the new donation requirements for season tickets. and that was an email saying check your inbox and i never received it so had to ask again where it was at.

Randale is failing miserably here

No blueprint for fundraising? I’m curious what his blueprint was for development of the department that he sold during his interviews. The Tweeter in Charge has been on the job long enough, the training wheels should be fully off and he should be wowing us with his innovative approaches, instead we get crickets.

(06-27-2022 07:27 AM)ksu315 Wrote:  

(06-26-2022 10:10 PM)dannyb73 Wrote:  I haven't received a single phone call from anyone in the athletic dept. in well over a year. If they want a donation they are doing a piss poor job of acting like it.

Me either. All i received was an email with the new donation requirements for season tickets. and that was an email saying check your inbox and i never received it so had to ask again where it was at.

Randale is failing miserably here

I agree with both of your comments, and my experience is similar.
While the buck certainly stops with Randale, his Athletic Dept staff seems to be seriously lacking in social skills and interacting with donors and supporters. Job requirement : You can not be bashful about introducing yourself , and conversing with people. The Athletic Dept has a small group of “friends/donors” that are always included in everything. Whether they donate or not they are the “in crowd “. The rest of us regardless of the size of our checks are irrelevant. I have made this comment before , and have stated the same to Randale.
For now I’m giving him the opportunity to right the ship. Cutting thru years of bad habits takes time .

(06-29-2022 02:53 PM)Older and Older Wrote:  

(06-27-2022 07:27 AM)ksu315 Wrote:  

(06-26-2022 10:10 PM)dannyb73 Wrote:  I haven't received a single phone call from anyone in the athletic dept. in well over a year. If they want a donation they are doing a piss poor job of acting like it.

Me either. All i received was an email with the new donation requirements for season tickets. and that was an email saying check your inbox and i never received it so had to ask again where it was at.

Randale is failing miserably here

I agree with both of your comments, and my experience is similar.
While the buck certainly stops with Randale, his Athletic Dept staff seems to be seriously lacking in social skills and interacting with donors and supporters. Job requirement : You can not be bashful about introducing yourself , and conversing with people. The Athletic Dept has a small group of “friends/donors” that are always included in everything. Whether they donate or not they are the “in crowd “. The rest of us regardless of the size of our checks are irrelevant. I have made this comment before , and have stated the same to Randale.
For now I’m giving him the opportunity to right the ship. Cutting thru years of bad habits takes time .

I could not disagree more. It takes the right behaviors and he has not shown to have them in his skill set.

I think the easiest time to show changes is quickly, new boss in charge, let's adjust to his way of doing things. When a year passes and his philosophy is not evident, and nobody seems to have stepped up their game in that time, the expectations for positive changes going forward diminishes. If people in the department truly didn't like the culture previously, they should've been willing to get on board with new direction ASAP. Since they didn't, perhaps they need a fire lit under them.

I do know in my dealings with the department over the years they have continued a steady decline in all aspects. Worse yet is that years ago people were in place that enjoyed doing what they were doing, it seemed like they cared more about KSU then KSU cared about them. As a donor I've felt that way as well, I want to give back and have done so for years but with the way things have gone instead of continuing to increase my donations I scaled back. I also have dealings with another school and can honestly say all interactions are so much better in every aspect. From ticketing, events, gameday experience to donations and everything in between. People are happy to do their jobs and they do it the right way; very little need for feedback, but if it is given and does make sense they take action on it. So perhaps the KSU Athletic Department has some deep rooted issues that need drastic changes. A new AD should've done that, but a year later the same issues are still there as well as newer ones.

(06-30-2022 08:04 AM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  I think the easiest time to show changes is quickly, new boss in charge, let's adjust to his way of doing things. When a year passes and his philosophy is not evident, and nobody seems to have stepped up their game in that time, the expectations for positive changes going forward diminishes. If people in the department truly didn't like the culture previously, they should've been willing to get on board with new direction ASAP. Since they didn't, perhaps they need a fire lit under them.

I do know in my dealings with the department over the years they have continued a steady decline in all aspects. Worse yet is that years ago people were in place that enjoyed doing what they were doing, it seemed like they cared more about KSU then KSU cared about them. As a donor I've felt that way as well, I want to give back and have done so for years but with the way things have gone instead of continuing to increase my donations I scaled back. I also have dealings with another school and can honestly say all interactions are so much better in every aspect. From ticketing, events, gameday experience to donations and everything in between. People are happy to do their jobs and they do it the right way; very little need for feedback, but if it is given and does make sense they take action on it. So perhaps the KSU Athletic Department has some deep rooted issues that need drastic changes. A new AD should've done that, but a year later the same issues are still there as well as newer ones.

Hammer as usual your comments are spot on.

We have increased our donating last few years with a falloff in interaction.

We also donate to a P5 school and a DIII. In both cases we are treated awesome. “Deep rooted issues”. Those words ring out loud and clear.

All I would add is it’s hard to fix a problem until you acknowledge you have a problem and they steadfastly believe everything is just fine.

Issues at Kent State are deep, but there also solutions that are deeper.

Earlier this spring, I visited Kent and while talking to a person at the bar, think I came across the root of issues, which is not just an issue at Kent....but many places in my opinion........."Separation"

While talking to the person at the bar, The Esplanade that connects downtown and campus made that connection. The esplanade symbolized "unity" and not separation.

The current AD and staff, in my opinion is light years ahead of bringing unity back.

There's a lot more to this. But that's all I have for now.

(07-06-2022 09:04 PM)thanksjim Wrote:  Issues at Kent State are deep, but there also solutions that are deeper.

Earlier this spring, I visited Kent and while talking to a person at the bar, think I came across the root of issues, which is not just an issue at Kent....but many places in my opinion........."Separation"

While talking to the person at the bar, The Esplanade that connects downtown and campus made that connection. The esplanade symbolized "unity" and not separation.

The current AD and staff, in my opinion is light years ahead of bringing unity back.

There's a lot more to this. But that's all I have for now.

Are you talking about separation between the community and the university?

(07-07-2022 02:58 PM)AlphaFlash Wrote:  

(07-06-2022 09:04 PM)thanksjim Wrote:  Issues at Kent State are deep, but there also solutions that are deeper.

Earlier this spring, I visited Kent and while talking to a person at the bar, think I came across the root of issues, which is not just an issue at Kent....but many places in my opinion........."Separation"

While talking to the person at the bar, The Esplanade that connects downtown and campus made that connection. The esplanade symbolized "unity" and not separation.

The current AD and staff, in my opinion is light years ahead of bringing unity back.

There's a lot more to this. But that's all I have for now.

Are you talking about separation between the community and the university?

Yes between the community and university, but also in general like within one's own self

Weird. It’s almost like getting rid of all those Kent State people who truly understood the fan base and the department’s history had a negative effect.

(07-15-2022 06:46 PM)JimJoyce Wrote:  Weird. It’s almost like getting rid of all those Kent State people who truly understood the fan base and the department’s history had a negative effect.

THe "KENT STATE PEOPLE" had their strengths and weaknesses, with the strength being their dedication to the university and what it could achieve, and the collective weakness of 'living in the past.'

Now many of those KENT STATE PEOPLE are gone/fired/retired so even that baseline is effectively gone.

What the university lacks - from top to bottom -- are people willing to embrace the best of the past, while leading into the future. There is no bell cow program at Kent, although the aviation program has some serious promise.

The School of Fashion has a nice niche, but has never really stepped outside the box so to speak. Athletics, overall, could be much improved, but it would take the hard decision of eliminating several programs for the financial betterment/focus on the rest.

For years Kent has tried to be all things to/for all people and that is just not sustainable these days. Pick a direction and a target then go for it is what I say needs to be done. Collectively.

https://kentstatesports.com/news/2022/7/...plify.aspx

Not sure how I feel about the athletic department outsourcing customer service and fan engagement. Seems like it will take away the personal touch but on the other hand it could make it easier to get a hold of someone when tickets don't show up.

(07-16-2022 06:21 PM)ilovegymnast Wrote:  https://kentstatesports.com/news/2022/7/...plify.aspx

Not sure how I feel about the athletic department outsourcing customer service and fan engagement. Seems like it will take away the personal touch but on the other hand it could make it easier to get a hold of someone when tickets don't show up.

From my perspective, Give it a chance. Cant be much worse, or maybe it can. !! Fan engagement pitiful. Donors treated like lepers, unless you are part of the in-crowd. If you are “in” donations irrelevant, just so long as you kiss up to the people with the perks.

(07-17-2022 07:18 AM)Older and Older Wrote:  

(07-16-2022 06:21 PM)ilovegymnast Wrote:  https://kentstatesports.com/news/2022/7/...plify.aspx

Not sure how I feel about the athletic department outsourcing customer service and fan engagement. Seems like it will take away the personal touch but on the other hand it could make it easier to get a hold of someone when tickets don't show up.

From my perspective, Give it a chance. Cant be much worse, or maybe it can. !! Fan engagement pitiful. Donors treated like lepers, unless you are part of the in-crowd. If you are “in” donations irrelevant, just so long as you kiss up to the people with the perks.

Agreed. Something has to be done. Obviously the Marketing Dept at Kent Athletics can't hack it. I'll point to the MAC Tournament again and call out that we had the worst support of all the schools in Cleveland. Akron's fans outnumbered ours when we they came to the MACC.

Over the years no funds for stadium improvements. Presently spending $6.5 million to convert ice skating arena to indoor practice facility for the Marching Band. Another example of the clueless administration.

(07-25-2022 03:27 PM)Proud pilot Wrote:  Over the years no funds for stadium improvements. Presently spending $6.5 million to convert ice skating arena to indoor practice facility for the Marching Band. Another example of the clueless administration.

Agree, a travesty. Diacon wants to grow the Marching Band , lots of ways to do that. Find them an hour or two a few times /week in Fieldhouse.

The $6.5 million could have been used as “seed” money for MAC center overhaul. One of the 10 oldest D1, Basketball facilities in the USA.
State will not authorize funds for state Universities for anything but classrooms, labs or HVAC and maintenance in existing buildings .
Unless one of us wins lottery , most of us wont live to see a new facility.

Dix Stadium has also become an embarrassment. Yellow HS grandstand
for student section is one of the worst looking “improvement” ever.
It may be functional but makes the stadium look awful.

(07-25-2022 06:28 PM)Older and Older Wrote:  

(07-25-2022 03:27 PM)Proud pilot Wrote:  Over the years no funds for stadium improvements. Presently spending $6.5 million to convert ice skating arena to indoor practice facility for the Marching Band. Another example of the clueless administration.

Agree, a travesty. Diacon wants to grow the Marching Band , lots of ways to do that. Find them an hour or two a few times /week in Fieldhouse.

The $6.5 million could have been used as “seed” money for MAC center overhaul. One of the 10 oldest D1, Basketball facilities in the USA.
State will not authorize funds for state Universities for anything but classrooms, labs or HVAC and maintenance in existing buildings .
Unless one of us wins lottery , most of us wont live to see a new facility.

Dix Stadium has also become an embarrassment. Yellow HS grandstand
for student section is one of the worst looking “improvement” ever.
It may be functional but makes the stadium look awful.

Agree with all of that, it’s a crying shame what’s been going on.

(07-25-2022 07:29 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(07-25-2022 06:28 PM)Older and Older Wrote:  

(07-25-2022 03:27 PM)Proud pilot Wrote:  Over the years no funds for stadium improvements. Presently spending $6.5 million to convert ice skating arena to indoor practice facility for the Marching Band. Another example of the clueless administration.

Agree, a travesty. Diacon wants to grow the Marching Band , lots of ways to do that. Find them an hour or two a few times /week in Fieldhouse.

The $6.5 million could have been used as “seed” money for MAC center overhaul. One of the 10 oldest D1, Basketball facilities in the USA.
State will not authorize funds for state Universities for anything but classrooms, labs or HVAC and maintenance in existing buildings .
Unless one of us wins lottery , most of us wont live to see a new facility.

Dix Stadium has also become an embarrassment. Yellow HS grandstand
for student section is one of the worst looking “improvement” ever.
It may be functional but makes the stadium look awful.

Agree with all of that, it’s a crying shame what’s been going on.

All-y'all are wrong.
A marching band is the biggest student organization and the second largest recruiting tool at any university's disposal nationwide, next to football. A university's marching band is to be considered "strong" when it is 1% of a school's total enrollment (including all branches and grad programs). -In Kent's terms, we should have a band of 300.- Our marching band is barely keeping up with Akron. They currently practice on a field that is less than 100 yards and next to a highway.
T/F College marching bands only have music majors. FALSE
College marching bands are mostly made of non-music majors. (RECRUITING) And students travel to the Main Campus that attend regional campuses.
Now that I'm done with the stats for your @ss...
Our past 4 presidents have crapped on the MGF. Carol tried to eliminate the marching band. (Read some of Alumnus Tom Batuik's comics.) In 2019 Warren told the band that they wouldn't go to the bowl game if it was in Idaho or Bahamas.
The MGF has had a new director averaging every 5 years since 1995. Mostly because of facilities, lack of support staff, and non-tenure. The students get 1 class credit for 6 hours of class/practice time. (Not including games or the nights they walk around campus and Downtown before home games.)
MGF's facility... I touched on the field, let's look at CPA. Specifically, the band's practice room, E112. Max capacity 75 people. Projected band enrollment: 175. (Was below 100 pre-pandemic.)
Dix Stadium.... Has anyone gone to a game at OU? I believe some of y'all get envy over Akron for their stadium that the ABJ does a write-up on every 2 years about how the university wasted so much money. A boss I used to work for always says, "no matter how much you polish a horse turd, it's still a horse turd."
Investing the MGF IS an investment in the university. It is a tool. Is anyone sick of hearing about TBDBITL? I am. Is anyone sick of hearing about OU's band? I am.
You want an ice rink? The 80's called, they want their sport back.