A Walk Down Memory Lane
As we approach another exciting Homecoming, we want to remember all the unforgettable moments and the pride that come with celebrating it. Whether it's the electric energy of the football game or heartwarming reunions with old friends, Golden Flash memories are the heart and soul of our tradition. We invited our cherished alumni to take a walk down memory lane and here are some of their favorite memories from the good ol’ days.
Have golden Homecoming memories to tell?
Marc Miller, ’71
When I tell people who performed at our Homecoming they are quite surprised!
Ray Charles and Mitch Ryder played concerts and Louis Armstrong performed at the Homecoming dance during Homecoming 1967. Tickets cost $2-2.50 for the Ray Charles concert, where the crowd capacity at Memorial Gymnasium was indeed a happening. (The Daily Kent Stater, Sept. 29 and Oct. 24, 1967)
Morgan Marshall, B.A.’19, B.S.N. ’21
Being on the 2018 Kent State Homecoming Court! I loved celebrating that day with my friends and family. Even better, all of my family members are graduates of Kent State! It was such a special day. I made so many friends on court and got to do so many cool things! It's a memory I won't forget.
Vanessa Jackson-Moxley, ’98
Black alumni tailgate is always a great vibe! We are college sweethearts 28 years later!
Karen Turner, ’78
Tailgating with my sorority sisters in Delta Sigma Theta sorority. This picture was from Homecoming 2021.
Lisa Aurilio, ’87, M.S.N. ’99, M.B.A. ’11
Building the Students for Professional Nursing float and being in the parade in 1986. KSU nurses have the “heart” of Rock ’n’ Roll.
Rachel Gross, ’21
My favorite memory is when my boyfriend and I started dating the Homecoming of our sophomore year. That was in 2019, and we now have a house and two cats together. It's my favorite memory of Kent Homecoming.
Keeltouma Guerch, ’09, ’11
Two unforgettable memories: Breakfast with Daniel F. Mahony, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services in his casual outfit, everlasting welcoming smile and unparalleled modesty (I am the girl with a headscarf in the photo). And representation of scenes from The Color Purple movie by a group of Black students and the Kent community. Because Alice Walker's book is among my half-dozen favorite reads, I really appreciated that show which featured most of the epic characters in the book.
Olivia Williams, ’22
I broke my foot a week before, and I was DETERMINED to make it everywhere for Homecoming 2019!
Emilian V White, ’75
Kathy Hill, sponsored by Omega Psi Phi, is crowned KSU’s first Black Homecoming queen—actually, the first Homecoming royalty. Prior to the selection of finalists, members of the Kent Women’s Action Collective and the Kent Gay Liberation Front protested the competition as sexist and not representative of Kent State. For the first time, the Homecoming court included a male, Lee Paull. (The Daily Kent Stater, Oct. 17, 1974)
Beth Dixon, ’91
Hubby and I are ’89 and ’91 grads. Our ’23 grad daughter is still the face of the Homecoming page!
Additional Memories
Ron Britt, ’68
My favorite memories are the amazing entertainment. We had the pleasure of seeing so many talented performers during Homecoming, including Johnny Carson, Bob Hope, Johnny Mathis, Steve and Edie Gorme and Dionne Warwick.
Linda Renkenberger, ’63
My first KSU Homecoming was in 1960, my freshman year. Being on campus for only a few weeks, I learned right away the proper dress code to attend the game. Girls were in dresses/skirts, heels or flats and guys in suits or sport coats. A definite memory! At Homecoming 2022 girls sitting around me had on pajama bottoms.
Glenn Carroll, ’72
Football games, Homecoming parade and fraternity parties.
Linda Fifer, ’74, M.A. ’75
During the Flashes' winning football game that led to the Tangerine Bowl, I watched Jack Lambert make valuable plays, sitting near the 40 yard line. But my favorite was Grog, the Flashes' mascot at the time. Apparently, one of the ways Grog taunted the opposing team was to stick his tongue out at their fans. Unfortunately, the tongue was not attached and fell out of Grog's mouth. Part of the hilarity was Grog trying to ask for help to retrieve his tongue. The win was worth it!
Rob Brock, ’67
It was always building my fraternity's float for the parade down Main Street. We spent many hours for many weeks working on it, but always spent the night before on an all-nighter to finish the work. It was a bonding experience, and I cherish the memories to this day.
Sherrie Graham, ’74
My memories of Homecoming begin with the excitement and energy of the week. Getting ready for the game and being a part of the athletic department made it all worthwhile. I had the honor of being in a photograph that the Record Courier ran with an article that talked about tailgating at the stadium. Somewhere I have the photo in my album. The excitement of the students and their families coming the day before the game and on game day brings lots of joy and comradery.
Sherry Molnar Deibel, ’75, M.Ed. ’77
My friends and I loved going to the games. We especially enjoyed watching the cheerleading team. They were entertaining and performed physically challenging lifts. One of the cheerleaders looked similar to the Door's lead singer Jim Morrison. The Kent State team and cheerleaders kept us coming for as many games as possible.
Michael Hyduk, ’85
Shaking hands and receiving a a high-five from the grand marshal, the one and only Mr. Joe Walsh!
Kevin Pyle, ’77
In 1997, my brother (Class of 1967), my dad (Class of 1947) and I (Class of 1977) attended Homecoming together. My wife and I were also thrilled to meet Shari Hiller and Matt Fox from "Room by Room" which we watched regularly.
Marsha Frazier-Lord, ’74
In 1973, my best friend Shirley Waehner Pickton, B.A. ’74, B.S. ’75, and I were both on the Homecoming court. Our fathers escorted us across the field with Glen Olds, president, and Don James, coach. Jack Lambert was the linebacker for Kent State and went on to be the MVP and played for the Pittsburgh Steelers shortly after we graduated. The 70s were a great time to be at KSU. We had a lot of iconic characters. Both Nick Saben and Gary Pinkel went on to be head coaches after being players and assistant coaches to Don James. Those are the good ol’ days for sure!
Jeff Goyer, ’71
I signed up for a "computer" match for a homecoming date. It matched me with a girl from my hometown. We danced to Louis Armstrong. He was playing on a stage in the basketball gym. Kent always had first rate entertainment.