Opening Day

Hi again everybody! This is an exciting week for sports fans everywhere as professional baseball returns after a winter hibernation. It's a sign of spring and hopefully warmer temperatures on the way.

The nation's top lefty opened Jacobs Field in '94

I have some great Opening Day memories of my own. I remember my sixth grade class at York Elementary school postponing our history lesson for the day on April 4, 1994 to watch the first game at brand new Jacobs Field in Cleveland. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I also remember staying up late to watch openers in California and Seattle with my grandfather because we didn't have cable out in the country! And finally I remember venturing up to frigid Cleveland with my uncle and cousins to see the Tribe. One year we left Kent and it was 70 degrees. By the time we got to the ballpark it was 40 degrees with the lake and wind! We were all dressed in our 70-degree clothes. Yikes.

At Kent State, we have a coaching staff with plenty of MLB experience. So I recently asked them about some Opening Day Moments!

Head Coach Jeff Duncan

"It was Opening Day at Shea Stadium in 2004. We had former President Bill Clinton in the house to throw out the first pitch. I remember taking the field for pregame introductions and getting out to the line and seeing hundreds of snipers and secret service agents on the roof of the stadium. You knew right then it was a pretty important deal."

Associate Head Coach Mike Birkbeck

"Not a very happy memory but I got called for three balks in one inning on Opening Day in 1988. We were at home and the umpires had just established a point of emphasis in the off-season. They wanted pitchers to come to a complete and discernible stop in their motion. We used to just kind of bounce our glove and pitching hand together and then throw. They wanted to eliminate that. So I go out there and Tim McClelland calls me for three balks in one inning. It was also an interesting match-up against the Yankees because Tommy John was pitching."

Assistant Coach Brandon Larson

Cincinnati's Great American Ballpark Opened in 2003

"I remember when we opened Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati back in 2003. President Bush was there for the first pitch and he hung out in our clubhouse. I got the chance to meet him and told him I was from Texas and he mentioned something about it always being a good way to start off the day with someone from Texas. Then I went 0-4. Not cool."

So there you have it. Meanwhile the KSU Golden Flashes are now 16-10 for the year after a doubleheader sweep yesterday at home. They travel to OU this weekend for another big conference series. You can hear the games on our iHeart Radio channel.

And whoever your MLB team is, happy new year! May the next six months bring good games, great memories and fun times for us all!

So long everybody,

TL

Road Tripping!

Hi again everybody! I am back in the friendly confines of Kent, Ohio following a great road trip to the Heartland.

I first covered the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in 2007 from the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit. I had always heard it was quite a spectacle, but never expected it to be as big as it was. With thousands of fans traveling thousands of miles to cheer on their respective teams, it really is a special three-day event.

With that said, here's a small recap of my travel throughout the Midwest last week!

DAY ONE - Tuesday

After a routine oil change and tire rotation to prepare for the 2,000-mile round trip journey, I hit the pavement around 3 ET. I headed south on I-71 to Columbus and made my first pit stop - the Mall at Tuttle Crossing, located just off I-270. There's a Cleveland-based cookie company called Cheryl's which makes a wide assortment of treats including their famous buttercream frosted cookies. I scored a dozen for $12.99 for use as road rations and was on my way along I-70 West.

Great, inexpensive lodging

Passing several Tom Raper RV signs in southern Indiana, I passed through the Circle City, Indianapolis. The big landmark there is the enormous Lucas Oil Stadium which rises up like a majestic barn on the prairie. It has hosted the Super Bowl and Final Four in recent years. Most of I-70 in Indiana and Illinois looks the same - especially at night.

Around midnight I turned the corner and caught a glimpse of the iconic Gateway Arch. At over 600-feet tall, it is the tallest man-made monument in the United States. The NCAA Wrestling Tournament was in St. Louis in 2008, 2009 and 2012. It will return there next year. When I crossed over the Mississippi River, I couldn't help but quote this Clark Griswold line from the 1984 film "Vacation."

With St. Louis serving as the symbolic halfway point, I drove another 100 miles before finally pulling over for the night in Rolla, Missouri. I found a Sunset Inn for just $37! Since it was situated next to a Waffle House, it was an easy choice.

DAY TWO - Wednesday

Color TV!

It was early to rise on a crisp Show-Me State morning. With the start of the tournament just 24 hours away, I needed to get moving. After a Waffle House breakfast where the cooks and waiters wanted to hear some Antonio Gates stories, I was on the move again, this time on I-44.

I stopped in Springfield, Mo. to pick up a couple items at Best Buy - a new memory card for my camera and a car charger for my phone. Near Springfield was the Glenstone Court - a roadside motel which featured rooms for just $23! Their big selling point was - wait for it - color tv! I'll look into staying there on my next trip through!

Joplin Tornado Memorial

My next stop was a somber one. In 2011, the city of Joplin, Mo. was devastated by an EF-5 tornado that took the lives of 162 and caused widespread catastrophic damage estimated at $2.8 billion. One of the things about me that many don't know is that I'm a licensed storm spotter for the National Weather Service. So events like the one in Joplin hit home for me.

Joplin Tornado Memorial mosaic

I stopped at Cunningham Park in Joplin which was the epicenter of the tornado's path. The mile-wide twister just leveled homes, the St. John Medical Center, scoured pavement and debarked trees along its route. Now nearly three years later, there were still eerie sights and sounds as I looked around. Everything was brand new. Homes, businesses, concrete, trees - you name it. It was as if someone rolled out a wide carpet and houses and trees popped up. Construction was going on all around me as I took photos of the memorials. There were a few mosaic statues which included random household items found in the debris. The stop was a reminder of two things: the power of Mother Nature and more impressively, the power of the human spirit.

As I left Joplin, I entered the northeast corner of Oklahoma. Before long, I passed through Tulsa along the Will Rogers Turnpike. The speed limit there is 75 mph which enabled me to make pretty good time on the sunny 65-degree day.

Finally, the skyline of Oklahoma City opened up on the Plains and I arrived at the Residence Inn. I have been lucky enough to stay at some pretty cool hotels while working for Kent State, but head coach Jim Andrassy deserves props for this place. It was nicer than my first apartment! A full kitchen and living room, separate bedroom and full bathroom were just some of the amenities.

DAY THREE, FOUR, FIVE - Thursday-Saturday

This year's NCAA Tournament served as the 84th renewal of the "Greatest Spectacle in Collegiate Wrestling." And for three days it was as wild as any I can remember. On Friday in the national quarterfinals, two No. 1 seeds went down in a three-weight class span!

Eight-ring Circus Comes to Oklahoma City

The KSU wrestlers faired well. With four representatives, two stayed alive deep into the event. Sophomore Ian Miller reached the national semi-finals with three hard-nosed wins against some of the best 157-pound wrestlers in the country. And newcomer Michael DePalma scored an upset of his own, knocking off the seven seed at 149.

KSU's Ian Miller

Miller took fourth for the Golden Flashes, earning him All-American status. It gave KSU an AA for the sixth straight year after a two decade drought without one! Coaches Andrassy, Moore and Hill have done a phenomenal job for the program. It was truly special to see Miller toss around defending champion Derek St. John of Iowa. With almost 16,000 fans focused on him, he scored five takedowns from five different moves to wow the fans and win the respect of 2,000 knowledgeable Hawkeye fans in the process.

The finals on Saturday were a blast, as always. The NCAA DI Wrestling Committee does a great job of turning the title matches into a real show. They elevate one single mat and introduce each wrestler individually with music and pyrotechnics. The fans love it and it's great for the sport.

 After losing to legend Kyle Dake of Cornell in a once-in-a-lifetime title bout last year, Penn State's David Taylor returned to the top of the podium with a dominating performance. His win helped keep the national title in Happy Valley for a fourth straight year. Taylor is one of the most technically sound grapplers I have ever seen. He stayed in the arena - as he did last year following a loss - until every kid who wanted an autograph or photo got one. There are still good guys left in sports!

National Anthem prior to the championship matches. The 80 All-Americans are on the mat.

DAY SIX - Sunday

The day after the championships is always such a letdown. But those feelings quickly subsided as I toured arguably the best memorial ever constructed - the Oklahoma City Federal Building Memorial. It is hard to believe next spring will be the 20th anniversary of the bombing.

Oklahoma City Memorial looking East. Field of chairs on left and Survivor Tree on right.

One of the memorial chairs.

The memorial is on the site of the former Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building which was bombed April 19, 1995. The area is framed by two majestic gates which read 9:01 (minute before the bomb) and 9:03 (minute after the bomb). Between the two gates is a long reflecting pool with a very thin layer of water which runs over a small ledge, providing a serene sound. There is also a field of empty chairs - 168 to be precise - which represent those lost in the tragedy. Small chairs represent children killed at the building's day care center. Also featured is an old elm known as the "Survivor Tree." Only its gruff and impenetrable exterior saved it from the blast. It was originally burnt to a crisp and thought lost but bloomed again the following spring.

The chairs are inscribed with loved ones' names and have the ability to light up at night. They are arranged according to the floor that person worked on.

Memorial looking South. The third pine tree from the left (center of this picture) was the location of the van.

I was in middle school when the bombing took place and remember it vividly. This was my second visit to the memorial and it still tugs at the heartstrings. Everyone should pay it a visit at some point.

After departing OKC, I zoomed back up the turnpike into Missouri. I stopped for a late lunch at Dottie's Family Restaurant in Cuba, Mo. and headed toward St. Louis. The Scottrade Center was hosting NCAA Basketball tourney games that day but traffic wasn't an issue as I pushed through the Gateway City into Illinois. 

It was a long day of driving so I coasted into Terra Haute, Indiana and shacked up at a Days Inn which advertised a pretty cheap nightly rate. I think I inherited my hotel instincts from my father who would always find the Linder Clan the best deal on the road.

DAY SEVEN - Monday

A cold snap (hasn't this whole winter been one!?) hit southern Indiana during the overnight so my travel outfit of shorts and a KSU wrestling t-shirt kind of left me a little chilled as I began the final stretch. I only needed to make one more fuel stop so I pulled over in Huber Heights, Ohio. After some chicken and mashed potatoes I broke out some car karaoke! It was at this point I am grateful to have been traveling alone. My Peter Cetera could use some work but it's close!

I finally reached Kent just after 5 ET. It was great to see the sun still shining and all the familiar landmarks of home. There's nothing like being away for a week to make you appreciate home!

All in all it was a phenomenal trip. I love road tripping. I have a small fear of flying anyways so I prefer driving. Besides, if you fly, you miss out on all of the little stops along the way. I think SID Aaron Chimenti is still looking for his luggage!

The NCAA Wrestling Championships are my favorite event to cover every year. It's like a family reunion with people you only see once a year but they are always there. The countdown to St. Louis 2015 is already on and hopefully the KSU wrestlers can make even more noise next year!

I'll be back on the baseball mic tomorrow at Wright State! Tune in for first pitch at 3 ET with Golden Flashes Warm-Up at 2:45.

So Long Everybody!

TL

Start Me Up

Hi again everybody! 'Twas Mick Jagger who once so eloquently (and perhaps frighteningly, depending on your taste) used three little notes to open what would become a pretty iconic song.

And as we sit here on the eve of college baseball's opening day, the 1981 hit is as relevant as ever.

KSU's baseball team has traveled to the desert landscape of Tucson, Arizona to open the 2014 season. The Golden Flashes will play games Friday, Saturday and Sunday at historic Hi Corbett Field. The Arizona Wildcats won the College World Series in 2012 but were in the opposite bracket from KSU.

The 2014 Flashes appear to have a good mix of both veteran and rookie talent - both on the mound and at the plate. After a very slow start to the 2013 campaign, Kent State fought back in the standings to win the Mid-American Conference regular season crown on the season's final pitch.

One of the veterans on this year's squad was a key factor in KSU's 2012 Omaha run. T.J. Sutton will be one of the mainstays the Flashes will be looking to for leadership on the field and in the clubhouse. And the Canton native couldn't be more excited to get his senior year going.

T.J. Sutton

"It's a new attitude around our program. Our goals don't change. In my mind, it really starts with defense. We can't wait to play," he said.

Kent State's first 16 games will be played in southern climates.

"We have to come out and play good defense and be aggressive at the plate. We'll need to get good reads in the field and some of the changes we made in the field house this winter have helped with that. The biggest thing is letting the game come to you and not try and do too much," the right fielder added.

First pitch from the former Spring Training home of the Indians is 8 pm ET Friday.

The softball team already has a leg up on the hardballers thanks to a 4-1 weekend in California last weekend. This year's diamond ladies have quality pitching depth with reigning MAC Pitcher of the Year Emma Johnson at the helm of a deep rotation. But it was a red-hot offense which surprised even head coach Karen Linder at Long Beach.

"We had a really good weekend, coming from behind in two of our four wins," she said. "But our offense was better than I anticipated - especially the top of the order. A lot of positives out of the weekend."

The Flashes will be off this weekend before taking part in a very challenging FAU Tournament next week where they'll see a top-10 Michigan team twice.

One of the things I'm excited about this spring is the debut of a new show called "Diamond Dialogue." This 30-minute show will air on our Golden Flashes iHeart Radio channel and will focus on both Kent State baseball and softball teams. The first episode premieres today and I've attached it via a link to Sound Cloud below. Give it a listen and I welcome all feedback!

Diamond Dialogue - Episode I

Until next time, Go Flashes!

TL

MAC Memories - Volume 2 - Games 5-1

Hi again everybody! Well it's almost the eve of another Kent State/Akron basketball game here at the MAC Center.

A couple of weeks ago, I rolled out five of the top Mid-American Conference games I've witnessed in person. It's seems fitting to wait until today to reveal my top five. I would like to say thanks to the great number of loyal Flashes fans who either emailed me or mentioned to me in person their own personal top MAC memories. Many of them are on this list!

So here they are, and here's to making another one tomorrow night!

Go Flashes!

TL

#5 – March 12 2011 – Kent State vs. Akron – MAC Championship

After splitting the two regular season meetings, no one was surprised when the two rivals survived the first two rounds of the MAC Tournament and met for a third time in the finals. Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena was abuzz hours before the game with fans eager to see the two belligerents decide the MAC title.

From the outset, the intense pressure of a championship game against a rival was palpable. Key plays and mistakes were both made as the game wore on into the night. With the game tied late, KSU’s Rodriguez Sherman fired a prayer as the buzzer sounded that sailed wide, sending the game into overtime.

With 9,000 fans on their feet for the five-minute overtime, KSU took a 62-59 lead but then hit a dry spell. Akron’s Brett McKnight buried two free throws with 12 seconds left to give the Zips a 66-65 lead and the Golden Flashes’ final two shots were blocked to bring the game to its final heartbreaking result.

The Flashes managed just six points in the extra session on 2/13 shooting, but found their stroke the next week in California as they upset St. Mary’s in the NIT.

Akron 66, Kent State 65 F/OT

#4 – March 8 2003 – Kent State vs. Ohio – MAC Semi-finals

It was like a scene out of “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.”

But instead of Claiborne, Clanton and McLaury against Virgil, Morgan, Earp and Holliday, it was Gates and Wilkins against Hunter and Esterkamp.

Antonio Gates

For twenty tantalizing minutes in the first half, Kent State and Ohio fired bullet after bullet at each other. Defense seemed to be optional as the two teams headed for their locker rooms deadlocked at 38. The second half was equally as entertaining. Wilkins enjoyed a phenomenal night, striking for 22 points in his hometown. The Gates/Hunter match-up was worth the price of admission in itself as the two big-bodied forwards locked horns all night. Gates finished with 21 and Hunter tallied 26 points and six rebounds in the back-and-forth affair.

A Gates jumper late gave the Flashes some breathing room and they calmly hit their free throws to clinch a spot in the title game.

Kent State 73, Ohio 70 F

#3 – January 23, 2008 – Akron @ Kent State

Thanks to the miracle of television, the first regular season encounter between the hated rivals was my first ever chance to call a Kent State/Akron men’s game on radio. With Bill Needle and Tom Linder sliding over to the TV side, I jumped into the radio air chair for my first taste of the rivalry.

It was a messy first half for the good guys who trailed a hot-shooting Zips squad, 35-25. But in the second period, the Flashes rallied and dropped 50 on their unsuspecting guests. The frustration piled up as an ugly shoving match broke out in the corner near the end of the game following a foul. To compound matters, some unruly fans showered Zips’ players with debris in the melee, prompting head coach Jim Christian to grab the PA mic and demand order – a la Sam Wyche of the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Flashes were paced by Chris Singletary, whose 7/8 shooting night led the way for the winners. This triumph would be the first of three in 2008 for the Golden Flashes over the Zips – including a resounding win in the tournament finals.

Kent State 75, Akron 69 F

#2 – February 3, 2003 – Miami @ Kent State

It was called the “Greatest Team in Kent State Basketball History.” The 2001-2002 Golden Flashes shattered the school record books, rolled through the Mid-American Conference and jumped into the national spotlight with an appearance in the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament’s Elite Eight.

Not quite a year after they become a national sensation, four key members of that historic squad were summoned back to the MAC Center for a jersey retirement ceremony. It was a big party in Kent, Ohio and there was just one little problem.

Someone put Charlie Coles and the Miami RedHawks on the guest list.

Kent State's Fab Four

The 5,682 other party-goers were stunned as the rude RedHawks seized command of the game, going up by 19 in the first half. KSU could do nothing right. But during a timeout, Trevor Huffman, Demetric Shaw, Andrew Mitchell and Eric Thomas moved from the seats to behind Kent’s bench. And the rally was on.

Led by Antonio Gates – who, at one point scored 12 straight points by himself - the Flashes fought back to within 11 at the break and roared to life after halftime to deliver a haymaker to the bewildered RedHawks. With the MAC Center roof literally vibrating due to the noise, Eric Haut then began a long-distance spectacular, burying three after three as KSU ran away with the game.

Afterward, it was a truly humbling experience to be able to interview both the star of this game (Gates), and the guest of honor (Huffman).

Kent State 70, Miami 60 F

#1 – March 4 2011 – Akron at Kent State

It was a dream setup that even the most ambitious Hollywood writer couldn’t have concocted.

After a mesmerizing regular season, the Kent State Golden Flashes and the Akron Zips had one game to play. All that remained to be settled was the 2011 regular season champion and top seed. The MAC Center was ready for the Friday Night Fight of a lifetime.

The Zips took advantage of a slow shooting start for KSU to go up by four at the intermission. But the second half featured yet another classic MAC Center comeback. Sparked by veteran star Justin Greene, the Golden Flashes made their move. And with the crowd at a constant din, Akron’s Quincy Diggs was called for a foul that he didn’t quite agree with. Frustration then took over and before his dialogue with referee Bo Boroski was over, Diggs was ejected from the game – symbolically ending the Zips’ night.

With nearly 6,500 screaming fans on their feet, KSU piled it on, hitting clutch three after clutch three. Security personnel stood helplessly by as rabid Flashes’ fans stormed the court in celebration of the team’s second consecutive league title.

Kent State 79, Akron 68 F

MAC Memories - Volume 1 - Games 10-6

Hi again everybody! Happy New Year from the Kent State IMG Sports Network!

Earlier this week, both our men and women's basketball teams began the nightly drama (and sometimes torture!) that is Mid-American Conference play. As I was preparing for the KSU/Ohio opener, I started to daydream about some of the classic MAC games I've seen since my involvement with Kent State.

So, to coincide with the start of what is sure to be another exciting MAC season, I have come up with 10 of my favourite moments. The only rule was that it had to be a game I personally witnessed. Watching on television didn't count. We will start the countdown with numbers 10 through six this week and then the top five in a couple weeks leading up to the Akron game!

If you agree, disagree, were there and have memories or just want to share some of your own personal highlights, please feel free!

Without further adieu, let the countdown begin!

#10  - January 25 2004 – Toledo @ Kent State

In marched the first place Toledo Rockets on a frigid Sunday in Kent. With a 13-3, 7-1 record, Stan Joplin’s Rockets were loaded with talent and the pick of many to finally unseat KSU as the MAC’s dominant program. The Flashes were 12-3 overall and a solid 6-1 in conference play.

Eric Haut

The game was tied early before the Golden Flashes made a run – one of several they’d make on the afternoon. And when Eric Haut, Jason Edwin and Bryan Bedford unleashed a long-range barrage, Joplin could do little to slow KSU’s furious pace other than burn timeout after timeout. A raucous MAC Center crowd of 5,879 witnessed Haut and Edwin combine for 40 of Kent State’s 92 points. But perhaps more impressive was the Flashes’ defense – holding Keith Triplett to a 2/12 shooting day with four turnovers and a frustration-induced technical foul.

Kent State 92, Toledo 56 F

#9 – March 8 2013 – Kent State @ Akron

The national television lights shined bright on the MAC’s two powers for the regular season finale at James A. Rhodes Arena. And as a sellout crowd of better than 5,000 white-clad Zips fans looked on, a KSU newcomer stole the show.

With the game still hanging tantalizingly up for grabs, Kent State junior Darren Goodson simply took over the game. On one end, he made clutch shot after clutch shot. On the other, he grabbed rebounds, outmuscled larger opponents and took a key charge that turned the game around. And in between he came of age as a team leader, taking command of the huddle both on and off the court. His 19 points and 8 rebounds were just enough to lead the Flashes to victory on Akron’s Senior night.

Kent State 68, Akron 64 F

#8 – February 21, 2011 – Kent State @ Western Michigan

The only thing he didn’t do was drive the bus home.

KSU’s Michael Porrini put the Flashes on his back at Western Michigan’s University Arena down the stretch, helping Kent to a road win that completely changed the complexion of the conference race.

Michael Porrini

Trailing 70-69, the Massillon product caught fire, capitalizing on a three-point play to give the Flashes a lead with a minute to play. After a quick Bronco bucket, the Flashes had the ball with 30 seconds remaining, tied at 72. Although the first shot attempt was missed, Porrini skied to the rafters to snare the offensive rebound – allowing Kent State to set up a final play. 

Following a time out the Golden Flashes ran the clock down to under 10 seconds when the 6'2" guard was isolated at the top of the key.  Porrini, who had 15 of his team high 19 points in the second half, then delivered once again hitting a 17-foot pull-up jumper to give the Golden Flashes their two point lead.  Not to be outdone he then stole a three-quarters court desperation in bounds pass to seal the win and give Kent State's its 23rd consecutive victory over a West Division opponent.

Kent State 74, Western Michigan 72 F

#7 – February 27 2013 – Buffalo @ Kent State

Throughout Kent State’s basketball renaissance, the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center has been a house of horrors for many teams who attempt to brave its confines. But no team had found the venerable structure more terrifying than the Buffalo Bulls. And as they made the trek down I-90 for the second regular season meeting, the Flashes had perhaps the most gruesome finish in store for them, yet.

Down 15 points in the final 12 minutes, it would have taken quite a leap of faith to expect KSU to keep the Bulls winless in Portage County. Six times already this year they’d lost excruciatingly in the final seconds. But Melvin Tabb – banished to the bench in the first half – was called from it in the second and provided just the spark KSU needed. His 14 points and five rebounds in the final 14 minutes of regulation sent the game into overtime tied at 73.

Evans beats the Bulls

As the two clubs slugged furiously away at each other in the extra session, the game remained deadlocked at 81 as Kent State prepared for the final possession. The Flashes put the ball in the hands of Chris Evans and he started his drive as the seconds ticked away. Three different Buffalo players challenged Evans as he drove for the basket, including Bulls star Javon McCrea, but the Kent State senior managed to hang in the air just long enough to get off the first buzzer beater of his life.

The four footer banked in to set off a wild celebration as the clock hit zero, sending KSU to a MAC tournament bye, and Buffalo to 0-16 lifetime at the MAC Center.

Kent State 83, Buffalo 81 F/OT

#6 – January 19 2005 – Buffalo @ Kent State

Head coach Reggie Witherspoon had guided a long-dormant Buffalo Bulls basketball program into constant Mid-American Conference contention. His 2004-2005 squad was his best to date, with three-point sharpshooter Calvin Cage and MAC Player of the Year favorite Turner Battle.

Turner Battle

As the two new rivals took to the parquet for an early conference showdown, the drama began instantly. Battle and Cage were magnificent and the Flashes got contributions from up and down head coach Jim Christian’s lineup. With a 30-29 lead at halftime, KSU watched UB shoot 64 percent in the second half. Yet the Flashes moved ahead by three on a couple of Kevin Warzynski free throws with four seconds left, 70-67. But Battle stole the stage and buried an impossible three at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. He then hit the first field goal of OT and seemed primed to run away with the game. But a Jason Edwin three turned the score around and the Flashes outscored the Bulls in the extra period, 15-10 to hold on for the classic win.

Battle finished 9/16 for 25 points to lead all scorers, and won the respect from the KSU crowd in the process. Meanwhile, Kent State had six of its eight players in double figures – led by Edwin’s 18. There were five ties in the remarkable contest and an astounding 18 lead changes.

Kent State 85, Buffalo 80 F/OT

There you have it! My sixth through tenth picks. Check back in a week or so for my top five. Until then, and as always,

GO FLASHES!

-TL

The Overlap

For a broadcaster, we have entered the time of the year that is both very hectic yet very enjoyable.

I am talking, of course about the time period we like to call 'The Overlap.'

It's that two to three week period in November when football is wrapping up and basketball is just starting up. It can sometimes be a tricky proposition for us broadcasters. There are several logistical things we need to address when we first examine the schedules and how they might come together.

The work really begins in the summer - when there are no games. I make sure we have three viable broadcasting kits. These will feature a transmitting device, headsets, crowd microphones, cables, etc. We've never had a situation where we've needed to do four broadcasts at once but we have often had three so it's important for me to have all three events covered and covered professionally.

Once the MAC and Kent State announce the basketball schedules, I'll sit down and lay everything out on a calendar. I also have to throw the weekly radio show in there to make sure it doesn't catch anyone by surprise. The last thing we want is a radio show where all the coaches are traveling for games or recruiting!

When we've identified the overlap areas, I'll start assigning broadcasters to events. We were very fortunate this year to have the football schedule move to the mid-week as early as it did. And thanks to some shrewd maneuvering by our crack office staff, we've been able to keep all the games covered by our familiar voices.

For me, there are two overlap seasons - November and March. The latter takes place when basketball and wrestling teams are heading into post-season (an annual tradition at KSU!) and our fine baseball team is beginning conference play. All the same planning comes into play and I'm fortunate to have true pros like Dave Wilson and Rob Polinsky at my disposal to fill all our Golden Flashes contests.

Tonight, I hope you'll take time to attend Senior Night at Robert C. Dix Stadium as the Flashes battle the Miami RedHawks. And bring a transistor radio or smartphone to listen to our basketball team takes on Seton Hall! It's the Overlap!

TL

Don James

When word first got to me about KSU and UW coaching legend Don James' passing, I immediately thought of a highly entertaining and privileged telephone conversation I had with him just last autumn.

As the reunion of KSU's first (and to this point, only) MAC Championship football team drew near, I was charged with writing a retrospective two-page story to appear in the game program. I sought out several key names from that 1972 team and conducted interviews, including a 30-minute call to James in his suburban Seattle home. When I was finished I was faced with two hard realities: Don James is a coaching icon and this story was going to be much longer than two pages.

It isn't everyday I get to interview a coach who is both a national champion and hall of famer. But for one afternoon last fall, I did. And I cherished every moment of it. Make no mistake, I am very fortunate to have the job I have, but it does have some tough trade-offs. I've missed holidays, graduations, weddings and spend a lot of time away from family and friends due to travel. But the chance to interview a coaching giant in Don James makes it all worth it.

I was immediately saddened to hear of Coach's passing. I thought of his lovely wife Carol and how tough it would have been for her at times - considering all the game and recruiting travel, when times got tough in Kent and Washington - when fans and journalists can be very unforgiving. And yet through it all I shook my head in awe at their astounding 60-plus years of marriage. 

I thought of the James Gang. And how they hadn't seen each other in so many years and decades until that beautiful reunion last August. I thought of our own Herb Page who has gone from a player on James' team to now leading a team of his own in KSU's nationally renowned golf program. And I also thought of many other players on that team whom no one believed in. 

Except Don James.

I have condensed my interview with Coach James down to about 10 minutes and you can listen to it at the link below:

Don James Interview

I have also decided that as my own personal tribute to Coach James and his KSU legacy, I will allow Kent State's first offensive play on Saturday against UB to be run in silence. Rob, Matt and me will turn our microphones off and pay homage to one of the greatest coaches and men to ever grace us.