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CLEVELAND — Kent State celebrated its Centennial with a bang as the Golden Flashes claimed both the Reese and Jacoby Trophies for the first time in the history of the program as the Mid-American Conference handed out its highest institutional awards for the 2009-10 academic year Tuesday evening (May 25).
Overall, the Flashes now have seven Jacoby trophies for women’s excellence (1989, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005 & 2010) and five Reese titles for men’s success (2000, 2002, 2006, 2009 & 2010) to their credit. Kent State is the first school to claim both trophies in the same year since Ball State did so in 1998.
“Winning both awards in the same year brings into clear focus the outstanding achievements, hard work, sacrifice and dedication of our student-athletes and coaches,” Kent State Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen said. “It is a privilege for me to have inherited such a tremendously talented group of people whose singular focus is on being the best at whatever they do. Today is a day for the entire university to be proud.”
In winning their second consecutive title, the men edged Central Michigan, 10.35-10.08. The Flashes were aided by league titles in cross country, basketball, baseball and golf and a second-place showing in wrestling.
The women posted a little bit wider margin in topping Miami, 10.25-9.72. The Golden Flashes earned championships in both indoor and outdoor track and field, field hockey (tied) and softball (tied), while finishing second in basketball.
This marks the ninth straight year that Kent State has finished in third place or better in both standings, an unprecedented feat. Since 2000, the five Reese Trophies are the most by any MAC school, while the women earned their 13th consecutive top-three finish.
“It’s hard to put into words what this means,” retiring Athletic Director Laing Kennedy said. “We had nine different teams combine to win a total of 10 regular season and tournament championships this year. To have that kind of across-the-board success is stunning. I couldn’t be more proud of our wonderful student-athletes and coaches, who demonstrate their commitment to excellence on a daily basis. I couldn’t imagine a better way to go out.”
Points are awarded based on each school’s finish, with the overall total divided by the number of sports sponsored by each school. An institution may count either indoor track & field or outdoor track & field but not both.
The men’s trophy is named for David E. Reese, the first-ever MAC Commissioner, who served with the league from its inception in 1946 until 1964. The women’s trophy is named for former MAC Commissioner Fred Jacoby, who served from 1971-82 and is credited with incorporating women’s athletics into the conference structure.
2009-10 Final Reese (Men’s) Standings
School Sports Points Avg.
1. Kent State 7 72.5 10.35
2. Central Michigan 6 60.5 10.08
3. Eastern Michigan 8 63.0 7.87
4. Ohio 6 43.5 7.25
5. Akron 7 50.0 7.14
6. Buffalo 9 63.5 7.05
7. Western Michigan 5 33.0 6.60
8. Miami 7 43.0 6.14
9. Ball State 6 36.8 6.12
10. Toledo 6 33.8 5.62
11. Northern Illinois 7 37.3 5.32
12. Bowling Green 6 28.8 4.79
2009-10 Final Jacoby (Women’s) Standings
School Sports Points Avg.
1. Kent State 9 92.3 10.25
2. Miami 9 87.5 9.72
3. Central Michigan 8 77.0 9.63
4. Toledo 9 76.8 8.52
5. Akron 9 71.3 7.93
6. Ohio 9 69.8 7.76
7. Eastern Michigan 10 72.5 7.25
8. Western Michigan 9 56.8 6.31
9. Ball State 11 58.3 5.29
10. Buffalo 8 36.3 4.54
11. Bowling Green 10 45.3 4.53
12. Northern Illinois 9 37.6 4.18
Courtesy of KSU Athletics
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