Homecoming Weekend

Well, as many of you around northeast Ohio have undoubtedly noticed, Mother Nature is starting to change her wardrobe a bit.

This year's homecoming game is quite literally a homecoming. The Flashes haven't played a home game in 28 days. Since dropping that Sept. 7 game to Bowling Green, KSU has traveled 3,174 miles. That's a long haul and keep in mind it's a shorter trip to Seattle, Los Angeles and Mexico City. Fortunately, the grueling three-game road trip ended with a victory in Kalamazoo Saturday night - Kent's first at Waldo Stadium since 1988!

I always enjoyed Homecoming at Kent State more than high school for a few reasons. Number one the game is much more meaningful because the Golden Flashes are not usually playing a cupcake team. Secondly, there's no pressure to ask the pretty blonde out to the dance on Saturday night. And finally, I love seeing all the former athletes and their families back in campus wearing the blue and gold.

Homecoming Weekend is also a great chance to see several KSU teams in action. For instance, our field hockey team plays today at 1 pm at Murphy Mellis Field. Few people realize what a solid program that has been for a very long time. In fact, it was the field hockey team which started an incredible string of MAC dominance back in 1991 with a league championship. Since then, we have won at least one conference title in each year!

Also, our volleyball team plays tonight against Bowling Green and then tomorrow night against Miami. Coach Gromala's team got the Golden Flashes off on the right foot last weekend in this year's PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge with a thrilling 3-2 win at Rhodes Arena. If you can't make it tonight, we'll have it for you on the Golden Flashes iHeart Radio channel at 7 pm.

Wherever you may be coming from, I wish you and your family safe travels back to campus this weekend! Check out downtown Kent and the beautiful University Esplanade! And let's not forget it will be Dr. Lefton's final homecoming as our president before his well deserved retirement.

Go Flashes!

TL