Kent State Athletics Communications

DALLAS - Kent State senior tailback Eugene Jarvis was named as a Doak Walker Award candidate for the third straight season by The PricewaterhouseCoopers SMU Athletic Forum on Wednesday. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top college running back.

A two-time all-conference selection, Jarvis is one of four MAC players among the list of 49 running backs. He is joined by Temple’s Bernard Pierce, Chad Spann of Northern Illinois and Ball State’s MiQuale Lewis.

Jarvis is just the fourth player in Kent State’s 88-year history to go over the 3,000-yard rushing mark. He enters 2010 needing 564 yards to break Astron Whatley’s school rushing record. Jarvis ranks second among active FBS career rushing leaders with 3,426 yards on the ground. He has also made 70 career catches for 743 receiving yards.

The PricewaterhouseCoopers SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select semifinalists on November 10.

Kent State returns 49 letterwinners and 20 starters from last year’s team. Golden Flashes 2010 football season tickets are available for as low as $30 for the six-game home slate, which begins against Murray State Thursday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. Call (330) 672-2244 to purchase your tickets today or visit www.90Ksu.com.

Kent State Athletics Communications

KENT, Ohio -- Former Kent State southpaw Jon Pokorny has been named to the Midwest League Postseason All-Star squad, the Minor League Baseball Class A league recently announced.

A ninth round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2009 draft, Pokorny is 16 for 19 in save opportunities this season and is tied for fifth in the Midwest League in saves after moving into the closer spot in early June following stints in long relief and set up roles to begin the 2010 campaign. Pokorny, who was named to the postseason squad as a left-handed reliever, is three saves shy of tying the Wisconsin franchise record for saves in a single season.

Pokorny ranks tied for sixth on Kent State's career saves list with nine and earned three letters at KSU (2007-09). He garnered All-Mid-American Conference selection in '09, posting a 2.20 ERA with five wins, five saves and 53 strikeouts in 41.0 innings of work.

Kent State Athletics Communications

CLEVELAND, Ohio ? Having won the last two Mid-American Conference regular season crowns, the Kent State Field Hockey program could be well in line for a third straight title this fall. In a vote taken by the league’s head coaches the Golden Flashes were picked as the favorites for the 2010 season edging out Miami and Ohio.

As the only team in the league to return two First Team All-MAC performers, Kent State takes aim at capturing the regular season outright after posting an 8-2 conference record and sharing the crown with Ohio last year. Heading up the Golden Flashes attack is All-American and reigning MAC Player of the Year Rachel Miller (Bathurst, Australia/MacKillop College). In 2009 Miller was the only player in the league to record double-digit goals and assists a season ago. Helping her up front in the forward position is junior Debbie Bell (Hamilton, New Zealand/Waikato), whose 29 goals last year were the second most in the nation and nearly doubled that of the second-place finisher in the MAC.

Finishing second in the voting were the Miami RedHawks who return the only other First Team All-MAC player of the 11 selected in 2009. Rounding out the top three vote getters are the Ohio Bobcats. Central Michigan, Ball State and Missouri State completed the poll.

Kent State begins the season by traveling to James Madison this weekend to face William and Mary on August 28 and JMU on August 29. Conference play starts for the Golden Flashes on Sept. 25 against Ball State. The MAC Field Hockey Championship will be hosted by Central Michigan from November 4-6.

2010 MAC Field Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Kent State (2) 31
2. Miami (2) 30
3. Ohio (2) 29
4. Central Michigan 17
5. Ball State 10
6. Missouri State 9.

KENT, Ohio ? The Kent State women's soccer team (0-1-0) dropped their 2010 season opener Sunday afternoon in an exciting 2-1 contest against Illinois State. All three of the game's goals were tallied in the final 10 minutes, providing plenty of excitement after a pair of solid defensive displays by both teams.

After Illinois State scored in the 81st minute, Kent State freshman Jessacca Gironda (Akron, Ohio) made good on her collegiate debut, knocking home a ball from classmate Morgan Mah (Edmonton, Alberta) in the 87th minute. But before overtime could arrive, the Redbirds notched the game's winning goal in the 88th minute to conclude the scoring frenzy.

"They have to use that disappointment in a positive manner," said head coach Rob Marinaro of the last-moment setback. "That was an NCAA tournament team last year with a lot of experience; we'll continue to push forward."

Kent State boasted a 19-12 shots advantage, including a 13-6 lead in a wind-aided second half.

Illinois State broke the scoreless tie late in the second half. A loose ball came through near the top of the penalty box in the 81st minute, forcing Kent State goalkeeper Kelly Sherwood (Strongsville, Ohio) to make a sliding play. Sherwood won the ball, but her kick was immediately deflected by Rachel Bostick from 20 yards out into the empty frame.

"I think both teams were a little nervous to start out," said Marinaro. "There was a lot of pressure, and both teams were feeling out the pace of the game. No one wanted to make any mistakes. They capitalized on one of our mistakes."

Kent State took advantage of its preseason practice on situational play following the late goal, as the team pressed numbers forward, keeping all but Sherwood within 40 yards of the goal in the attack. Following a foul near midfield, Kent State got the equalizer in the 87th minute. After a long free kick by Kelsi Landry (Whitby, Ontario), the Golden Flashes kept the ball in the penalty box, resulting in Gironda's goal.

"We talk about the battles inside the 18-yard box, and we came through for one," said Marinaro. "The team showed character and fight to come out with a goal."

With overtime looming, Illinois State put to rest any chance for extra time when Alyssa Schulz broke through in the 88th minute, beating Sherwood to the left and knocking in a shot from 15 yards.

Sherwood finished with three saves for Kent State, while ISU's Kremenovic registered eight stops.

Kent State tried to break through multiple times early in the contest, but the offside flag kept the Golden Flashes at bay three times in the first 17 minutes. KSU was whistled for four offside infractions in the game, all in the first half.

In the 23rd minute, Illinois State had a one-touch chance when Kyla Cross beat a charging Sherwood, but her 18-yard shot skipped outside the far post.

In the second half, it looked like Kent State would get on the board when Kellyn Flanagan (Medina, Ohio) slotted a perfectly placed ball to Kelly Heaton (Mississauga, Ontario) just seven minutes into the period. With just the goalkeeper to beat, Heaton headed toward the goal, but Illinois State's Mara Kremenovic was up to the challenge and snuffed out the chance.

In the 66th minute, the smallest of margins again kept Kent State off the board. Some hard work on the left side of the field by Gironda resulted in a cross from the freshman. Josee Charron (Ottawa, Ontario) rushed in at the far post, and her leaping header was just off the mark.

Illinois State had a strong opportunity in the 70th minute when Nicole Russell was through at the top of the box, but KSU's Sherwood gathered in her attempt. Then, in the 78th minute, Kyla Cross tried to get behind the KSU defense, but a tackle by Gabi Ingram (Indianapolis, Ind.) stymied the opportunity.

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Stow -- It should be an interesting 2010 season for the Stow-Munroe Falls girls field hockey team.

First-year head coach Kelly Given is ready to go as she takes over the reigns from former coach Caitlin MacKenzie (2006-09).

"I'm extremely excited to be the new head coach at Stow," Given said. "I played at Kent State from 2000-03 as a center back and I was also an assistant coach at Kent Roosevelt from 2005-07. Caitlin recommended me for the position and they hired me."

Another former Kent State player, Kristen Tate (1999-02), will be Given's assistant coach and JV coach, according to Given.

"The pre-season has been going very well," Given said. "The girls have been working hard with conditioning. I have an extremely athletic team this year. They are in shape and ready for the season to start."

The two captains this year are seniors Gina Bonfiglio (midfielder) and Ali George (midfielder/defender), according to Given.

Other notable players are: junior Caitlin Crosier (midfielder), sophomore Taylor Dohar (midfielder), junior Jess Foraker (midfielder), senior Kendall Lang (defender), junior Brooke Mariola (forward), sophomore Courtney Peters (midfielder), junior Kerry Bukosky (defender), junior Jordan Tilghman (defender), sophomore Stephanie Schafer (forward) and junior Sam Hazelbaker (midfielder), Given said.

Senior Lauren Dunmire and sophomore Nicole Blanco will be the goalies, according to Given.

"Caitlin (MacKenzie) did a great job building a foundation here and I want to take the team to another level," Given said.

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Aug. 22--Rob Moss fully understood the circumstances and the competition.

That made it easier for him to find perspective about assembling two rounds well above par and being saddled with one of the worst finishes in his career.

Moss, 41, a former Kent State standout, qualified for the 92nd PGA Championship played last weekend at Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wis. In one of the four majors of the year, Moss missed the cut and finished in a tie for 141st place in the field of 156 with rounds of 78 and 77 for a 36-hole score of 11-over 155.

Still, Moss cherished the time to compete against the best players in the world on such a public stage.

"It was a great experience, very rewarding," said Moss, the head professional at Pepper Pike Club in suburban Cleveland. "It was great to have a front-row seat to watch players of that caliber. And the crowds were big, very welcoming and very supportive. I just wish my peers could have had a week like I just had."

Moss, one of nine players ever to have won three or more Ohio Open championships, qualified for the tournament by finishing in a tie for 11th place in the PGA Professional National Championships in June at French Lick (Ind.) Resort. He was one of 20 club pros to advance to Whistling Straits.

He made the nine-hour drive there with his wife, their three children and good friend and caddie Andy Dorman, among others. He walked the course with a local caddie Aug. 8, and played practice rounds Aug. 9 and 10 (the latter with former Kent State All-American and 2003 British Open champion Ben Curtis).

His initial impression of Whistling Straits, with a taxing yardage of 7,514 and 1,200 bunkers, was one of amazement.

"I have never played a place like that. It's so intimidating off the tee," said Moss, a three-time All-Mid-American Conference honoree (1988-90) with the Golden Flashes of coach Herb Page. "And the bunkers are everywhere. Some were 3 feet by 3 feet and some had 15-foot faces.

"There are a lot of blind shots. You have to trust the lines you pick out. You have to do your homework in the practice rounds."

Moss also qualified for the PGA Championship in 2005 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J., missing the cut with rounds of 74 and 72.

He was paired with club pros that year, but this time played both rounds with touring pros Charles Howell III and France's Gregory Bourdy.

Moss enjoyed their company and had an added bonus, because Howell's caddie is Henry Diana, an old friend and opponent of Moss when they were growing up in Cleveland.

"I have known him since we were 8 or 9. He is a great player in his own right. That was nice to have him there," Moss said. "And the two players were very supportive. It was a great experience to be paired with them."

The tournament itself became an exercise in frustration -- and not just because of the difficulty of the course.

The opening two rounds were delayed because of heavy fog off Lake Michigan. In the first round, he was scheduled to tee off at 8:50 a.m. and actually started at noon. In the second round, he was supposed to start at 2:05 p.m., but actually got going at 6:15 p.m. He only finished four holes before play was suspended and finished the final 14 holes on Aug. 14.

Moss birdied two of his first four holes in the first round but later had three double bogeys for the 78. Strong winds in the second round left him at 3 over in the four holes he finished. He played the final 14 holes in 2 over the next day for the 77.

"I putted extremely well. But the course is not set up for me. It's far too long," said Moss, who had a gallery of about 20 family members and friends. "There were three par-4s that I could not reach in 2."

Moss was on his way home during the final round when Martin Kaymer of Germany won it and American Dustin Johnson lost any chance to win when he received a 2-stroke penalty on the final hole for grounding his club in a bunker.

Johnson said he did not realize the area was considered a sand trap, because fans had been walking on it all week.

Moss, though, said players were reminded repeatedly that areas like that were considered bunkers.

"That was very clear to all the players. There were notices in the locker room and on the first and 10th tees," Moss said. "I feel terrible for Dustin Johnson, but, in fact, he grounded his club in a sandy area."

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On Thursday, Aug. 19, Golden Flashes fans will have an opportunity to check out the new tailgate set-up in the field house as well as seeing the team for the first time as Fan Experience Night begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Dix Stadium complex. The evening is free of charge and open to the public. A schedule of the evening follows:

5:30 p.m. ? Gates to indoor tailgate open at Field House: Inflatables, food vendors & music; Pictures with Flash and the Kent State cheerleaders

6:30 p.m. ? Meet new Athletic Director Joel Nielsen

7:00 p.m. ? Football scrimmage with the ability to select a seat for your season tickets

Postgame ? Meet the Golden Flashes players and coaches on the field

In addition, Kent State will be selling game-worn jerseys and various gear that is remaining from previous years.

KSR will host a live chat during the scrimmage, which begins at 7:00 p.m. The chat room will open about a half hour before the scrimmage for some "pre-game notes and discussion."

Click the link below to access the chat.

Live Chat

I was told at practice tonight that during Thursday's FanFest the KSU athletics department will be selling KSU football gear. Now that they've switched from New Balance to Nike there's a lot of shelf space to clear.

The sale will include game worn jerseys (laundered, of course) and other stuff.

I do know that there are NO number 9 jerseys available...sorry!

But this is a great way to gather some KSU gear for the upcoming season and for the holidays that are just around the corner. I'm a XXL in case you were wondering.

Here's an old video interview with Kent State freshman Tayler Stanton.

Video

Click the link below for photos from Tuesday's practice.
This post was edited on 8/18 11:46 AM by stevehare Rivals

Photo Gallery

After a tough outing during the scrimmage on Saturday the Kent State offense seems to have found its groove this week. The return of wide receivers Tyshon Goode and Sam Kirkland certainly had a lot to do with that.

The offense played well on Monday in practice then again during Tuesday morning's scrimmage.

Tuesday evening the offense again showed a lot of promise with big plays being turned in by the running backs and wide receivers, the deepest position groups on the team.

Goode, Kirkland, Kendrick Pressley, Sam Miller and Ed Cazenave all turned in strong performances from the wide receiver position. Miller really impressed with three straight catches.

Freshman running back Rob Hollomon continues to work himself onto the travel roster as he seems to be a combination of Jacquise Terry and Dri Archer. He's got deceptive strength for a "little" guy and his footwork has left several defenders sprawled out on the turf.

I'm really looking forward to Thursday's scrimmage to see what kind of improvement they can make from last Saturday.

Full Practice Report

For Thursday's FanFest scrimmage I can do photos or a live chat.

Click the link below to follow all the action as Kent State prepares for the 2010 football season.

Football Training Camp HQ

Click the link below for a video of Doug Martin's post-scrimmage comments after Saturday's scrimmage.

Martin recaps scrimmage

Nothing worth attaining ever comes without a little adversity. That’s a lesson the Kent State volleyball team learned in 2009.

The Golden Flashes came slow out of the gate in ‘09, dropping their first seven matches. The squad’s toughness was put to the test, and KSU responded by winning 14 of its final 24 regular season matches -- including an 11-4 midseason stretch -- to finish third in the Mid-American Conference East Division and earn the right to host a MAC Tournament First Round match. Along the way, Kent State won the Raider Challenge hosted by Wright State and successfully defended its home turf in the Kent State/Mizuno Open for two tournament championships on the year.

“The thing that hurt us last year was that we had some adversity coming out of training camp,” said head coach Glen Conley. “We need to be able to handle adversity better. Every team will go through adversity . We’re not hoping that it happens, but we need to be prepared for it. With an older group, we should be able to do that.”

The Flashes welcome back 10 letterwinners and four starters, plus the libero/defensive specialist. The squad will not only enjoy continuity with their teammates, they’ll benefit from it on the sidelines, too. Conley enters his fourth season as the KSU mentor, compiling a record of 49-45 (21-27 MAC) during his tenure with the Flashes and owning an overall career mark of 400-227 in 20 years of coaching collegiate volleyball. Conley is joined by fifth-year assistant coach Tarah Dickerson and third-year student assistant coaches Heather Dixon and Danny Doherty. The program also added former Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School head coach Rob Cline, who led the Bees to conference, sectional, district and Ohio regional titles in three seasons, to the fold for 2010.

“It’s great to have that continuity and confidence in your staff,” said Conley. “We’re very excited to have Rob. He’s an excellent coach who knows how to win and has certainly done that at a high level of high school volleyball.”

More...

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Kent State Baseball 2010 Summer League Participants

Jason Bagoly: Great Lakes League, Stark County Terriers

?First Team All-Great Lakes League selection.

?Great Lakes League Red Team All-Star.

?Tied for league lead by throwing out 11 base runners.

?Finished the season with a team-best .500 slugging percentage to go along with a .321 batting average, 36 hits, seven doubles, two triples, three home runs, 22 RBIs and 20 runs scored.



Addison Dunn: Great Lakes League, Southern Ohio Copperheads

?Recorded a 2.16 ERA in seven appearances, posting one victory and two saves in addition to fanning seven.



Justin Gill: Great Lakes League, Stark County Terriers

?Led the Terriers with four victories, striking out 28 and recording three saves in 12 appearances and 24.2 innings of work.



Brennen Glass: Great Lakes League, Grand Lake Mariners

?Great Lakes League Red Team All-Star.

?Recorded one complete game and two saves in 11 appearances, striking out 26 in 38.1 innings.



Kyle Hallock: Great Lakes League, Stark County Terriers

?Credited with two victories in four starts, posting a 1.93 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 18.2 innings.



Nick Hamilton: Prospect League, Lorain County Ironmen

?Collected 21 hits, including two doubles.



Ben Klafczynski: New England League, Keene Swamp Bats

?New England League Home Run Derby Champion (13 HRs).

?New England League West Division All-Star.

?Recorded a .296 batting average with 37 hits, seven doubles, two home runs, 18 RBIs and 21 runs scored.



Joe Koch: Prospect League, West Virginia Miners

?Second Team All-Prospect League selection.

?Compiled a .305 batting average with 57 hits, two doubles, one triple, 17 RBIs and a team-high 42 runs scored.



Christian Lockett: Great Lakes League, Licking County Settlers

Tallied one victory and 10 strikeouts in six appearances and 15.2 innings.



David Lyon: Alaska League, Mat-Su Miners

?Second Team All-Alaska League selection.

?Member of Mat-Su Miners 2010 Alaska League championship team.

?Posted a .269 batting average with 25 hits, four doubles, two triples, a team-high two home runs, 22 RBIs and 11 runs scored.



Ryan Mace: Great Lakes League, Licking County Settlers

?First Team All-Great Lakes League selection.

?Posted the league’s fourth-lowest ERA (1.64), second-fewest runs allowed (8) and tied for third-fewest earned runs allowed (7).

?Recorded three wins in six starts and seven appearances, striking out 24 in 38.1 innings.



Kyle McMillen: Cape Cod League, Cotuit Kettlers

?Member of Cutuit Kettlers 2010 Cape Cod League championship team.

?Recorded one win and 15 strikeouts in 15.1 innings of work.

?Was also credited with a playoff pitching victory.



Jimmy Rider: Coastal Plains League, Peninsula Pilots

?Recorded a .248 batting average with 35 hits, six doubles, one home run, 16 RBIs and 19 runs scored.



Travis Shaw: Cape Cod League, Bourne Braves

?Member of Bourne Braves Cape Cod League Western Division championship team.

?Named the Cape Cod League Player of the Week (June 28) following a four-game stretch in which he hit .714 with a .775 on-base percentage, two home runs and seven RBIs.

?Finished the season with a .260 batting average with 33 hits, seven doubles, one triple, three home runs, 17 RBIs and 19 runs scored.



Phil Smith: Prospect League, West Virginia Miners

?Posted a .312 batting average with 24 hits, six doubles, one home run, 19 RBIs and 10 runs scored.



David Starn: Great Lakes League, Southern Ohio Copperheads

?Great Lakes League Red Team All-Star.

?Made six starts with one victory, striking out 28 in 31 innings of work.

?Credited with Southern Ohio’s pitching victory in their lone playoff win, fanning six in six innings of work.



Casey Wilson: Great Lakes League, Stark County Terriers

?Recorded one victory and 18 strikeouts in 11 appearances and 20 innings.



David Wright: Great Lakes League, Southern Ohio Copperheads

?Posted one win and 15 strikeouts in 13 appearances and 15.2 innings.

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Former Kent State standout at shortstop, Jessica Toocheck, was named head softball coach of her alma mater at Medina High School.

Toocheck was named 2008 MAC Player of the Year, a 2008 Easton All-American, and academic All-American first team.

Following her career with the blue and gold, Toocheck played professionally for the Akron Racers.

The Kent State baseball program has unveiled its plans for its 2010 Alumni & Friends Weekend.

The celebration of Kent State baseball, past and present, will take place Sept. 25-26.

The festivities begin with the annual golf outing Saturday, Sept. 25, at Windmill Lakes Golf Course. A putting contest will lead off the event, followed by a shotgun start. Prizes will be awarded for longest drive and skill shots. The day on the links concludes with a steak dinner, raffle and awards.

The program's sixth annual alumni game is slated for Sunday, Sept. 26, at Olga A. Mural Field at Schoonover Stadium. Alumni will be fitted for uniforms and take part in batting practice, then hit the field to relive their collegiate glory days. Participants will be treated to pizza in the clubhouse following the game.

For more information on the 2010 Alumni & Friends Weekend, please see the attached PDF file.

From one former Flash to another...Ball State hired Alex Marconi to replace Greg Beals, who bolted for Ohio State after the 2010 season.

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Kent State is interested in Triway pitcher/shortstop Sawyer Polen.

This summer Polen is playing with the North Coast Vipers. He's drawn interest from Clemson, Kent State and Ohio University, among others. As of now he said his favorites are Clemson and Kent State.

Here's a great story on the 1990 KSU softball team that earned a trip to the College World Series (on par with KSU basketball's Elite Eight appearance, relative of course).

Because I had some really good friends that played softball at Kent State in the early to mid-90's I learned quite a bit about the program, and even followed them down south on a spring break trip.

I really liked coach Lilley...she certainly had her moments, but her teams respected her and she won a lot of games.

Looking at that 1990 roster I knew five of the girls on that team, and a couple more I knew of. JoAnn Gordon later became an assistant coach and was head coach at Toledo for a while.

A Cinderella Story

According to Mack's Mets, KSU's Travis Shaw is the 11th best first baseman in the 2011 MLB draft.

Here's what the blog had to say about Shaw:

11. Travis Shaw:

6-28 from: - http://thecollegebaseballblog.com/2010/06/28/cape-cod-baseball-league-players-of-the-week-june-28th - Travis Shaw, Bourne 1B/DH - Bourne slugger Travis Shaw (Kent State) has secured this week’s Coca-Cola Player of the Week award after putting together a stretch of four games that any Cape Leaguer will be hard-pressed to match this season. Shaw hit .714, with a .775 on-base percentage, slugging two home runs and knocking in seven runs. He batted .330 in his sophomore season at Kent State, with 15 home runs. Shaw was taken in the 32nd round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft out of high school by the Red Sox, but elected to attend Kent State.

Kent State junior outfielder Ben Klafczynski is playing for the Keene Swamp Bats this summer in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

He was selected to play in the NECBL all-star game as well as participate in the home run derby and the throwing competition.

Klafczynski is hitting .279 with 12 RBI so far this summer.

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Former KSU coach Rick Rembielak interviewed for the vacant Ball State job.

Rembielak coached at Kent State from 1994 to 2004, where he averaged 34 victories a year in 11 seasons. His teams won four conference regular-season titles, three MAC tournament crowns and earned four berths into the NCAA Tournament.

He left Kent State after the 2004 season to coach Wake Forest. He had a 142-142 record in five seasons with the Demon Deacons, who didn't renew his contract after 2009. He was out of coaching in 2010.

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Kent State Athletics Communications

KENT, Ohio - Kent State University head baseball coach Scott Stricklin has been signed to a contract extension through 2014, Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen announced Tuesday (July 13). Financial terms of the deal are being finalized.

The Kent State alum and 2006 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year has guided his alma mater to a 222-128 overall record, five MAC championships and three NCAA tournament appearances in six seasons.

“We are pleased and excited to keep a coach of Scott’s character and talent on board through 2014,” Nielsen said. “Scott’s dedication and commitment to his alma mater are tremendous and the results on the field bear that out. What we’ve also come to learn over the past few weeks is that the support for Scott and Kent State baseball from alums and friends of the program is strong and unwavering.”

Stricklin, 38, directed the Golden Flashes to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth in 2010. After wrapping the regular season up with its fourth MAC East Division crown in five years, Kent State won five elimination games in three days to capture the MAC tournament title and earn a trip to the NCAA Los Angeles Regional.

Stricklin’s Kent State squads have enjoyed winning seasons every year he has been at the helm. Ranked 18th nationally to start the year, the Flashes won 43 games in 2009 ? the third most in school history ? en route to eliminating nationally-ranked Cal Poly in the NCAA Tempe Regional.

“I’m very excited to be staying at Kent State,” Stricklin said. “Being the head coach at my alma mater is very special to me and my entire family. I want to thank our previous athletic director, Laing Kennedy, for all the support he gave us over the last six years. It was an honor to work for him. I am also excited to move forward with our new athletic director, Joel Nielsen. We have all worked very hard to build a successful program on the playing field and in the classroom, and we look forward to continuing our championship tradition here at Kent State.”

The Plains, Ohio, native has developed his student-athletes into standouts both on the baseball diamond and in the classroom. A total of 19 Kent State baseball players have been selected in the Major League Baseball Draft under Stricklin. Off the field, the team has registered back-to-back perfect 1,000 scores the last two seasons in the NCAA’s Academic Performance Rate report, while the team’s grade-point average has risen from 2.35 in spring 2003 to 3.20 in fall 2009 ? the best in program history.

Stricklin lettered three seasons as a catcher at Kent State, earning All-MAC honors in 1992 and ’93. He graduated magna cum laude from Kent State in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and played five seasons of minor league baseball before retiring in the spring of 1998.

Kent State also inked associate head coach/pitching coach Mike Birkbeck to an extension through 2014. The University of Akron alum and former Major League Baseball hurler completed his 15th season with the KSU baseball program in 2010. Birkbeck has a track record of propelling collegiate pitchers to the professional level, as 21 Kent State pitchers have been drafted by Major League teams.

Assistant coach Scott Daeley will also remain on the staff next year. A 2002 graduate of Wake Forest University, Daeley has been with the Flashes since 2004.

“Keeping our coaching staff intact was extremely important to me, and I am certainly very fortunate to have Mike and Scott on my staff,” Stricklin said. “We have been together for six years and we are all very proud of what we have been able to accomplish together.”

Stricklin and his wife, Cheri, have two daughters, Sydney and Keaton, and a son, Cale.
This post was edited on 7/13 6:33 PM by stevehare Rivals