Kent State Gameday: CCSU

GAMEDAY 2023 vs

2023 SCHEDULE

MEET THE TEAM

“ I’m excited to embark on the first season of the KentGrit Era! We have made extensive strides through our spring and summer periods as a team both on and off the field. The team has accepted each challenge bestowed upon them and raised their standard of excellence. I am proud of our young men and excited for the season ahead! We look forward to your enthusiasm and support throughout the 2023 football season! ”

COACHING STAFF

2023 KENT STATE ROSTER

FLORIEA SR | WR

CAPONE BLUE GR | DB

XAVIER WILLIAMS GR | RB

D. J. MILLER JR GR | DB

HARMON 8 KHALIB JOHNS GR | LB

TYLER BAYLOR GR | DL

TRELL HARRIS So. | WR

MARCUS WINFIELD R-JR | DL

TOMMY ULATOWSKI SO | QB

DEVIN KARGMAN SO | QB 15 DALLAS CRADDIETH GR | S

MATTHEUS CARROLL JR | DL

MIKE ALAIMO R-JR | QB

18 TERRELL MILLER SR | CB

ALI FISHER R-SO | WR 19

FREDDIE LENIX FR | CB

JOSH BAKA SO | S

20 MARQUES HICKS FR | RB

GAVIN GARCIA SO | RB

CHRISHON MCCRAY SO | WR

23 NAIM MUHAMMAD GR | DB

JAYLEN THOMAS R-Sr | RB 24

CURTIS DOUGLAS FR | RB 24

NICHOLAS GIACOLONE GR | LB

25 DAEVEON BUIE R-SR | DB

TREYMON ECHOLS JR | WR 26 J.B. AWOLOWO SR | WR 26

CJ YOUNG FR | DB

27

BRYCE SHEPPERT GR | DB

ALEX BRANCH JR | DB

JALANI WILLIAMS R-JR |DB 30

KY THOMAS R-JR | RB

31 JAMIR GARDNER SO | DB

DOMINQUE HILL FR | RB

DEVIN NICHOLSON GR | LB

35 JACK COULSON GR | WR

35 DAMARI WILLIAMS FR | DB

2023 KENT STATE ROSTER

36 NICK CUVA FR| DB

37 CJ HARRIS R-SR | LB

38 LAVONTE GATER GR | DB

39 TYLER BIVENS SO| DB

41

LUKE MURPHY R-JR | LB

42 SHANE SLATTERY JR | LB

43 CHASE FORTKAMP JR | LB

44 ROCCO NICHOLL SO | LB

45

KHALI SAUNDERS SR | LB

47 WILL HRYSZKO SO | PK

48 LUKE ROMES SO | LS

49 JOHAN SILVER SO | PK/P

51 SAYED ABUHAMDEH FR | LB

52 JOHN JACKSON SO | DL

53 KADEN BEATTY FR | DL

54 NOLAN RUMLER R-SR | OL

55 BRYCE SISAK FR | DL 56 NICK BRYAN SO | OL

56 MACYO WILLIAMS JR | DL

57 DUSTYN MORELL SO | OL

58 ETHAN MOUYEOS FR | LS 60 ANDREW GLASS JR | PK

61 CHARLIE DURKIN SO | PK-P

63 MASON MENNELL SO | OL

65 TRISTEN BITTNER R-SO | OL

66 ELIJAH LAMPTEY SR | OL

69 BRAYLON SMITH FR | OL

70 CHRIS FARRELL FR | OL

CECIL WILSON FR | OL

JIMTO OBIDEGWU R-SO| OL 74 EVAN COOKE FR | OL

HAYDEN JUNKER R-SR | TE

92 JAVIER DURAN GR | DL 93 ANDREW NESLER FR | DL

94 JOEL MIASEK FR | PK 95 ANTOINE CAMPBELL JR R-SO | DL

96 JOSH SMITH JR | P

98 BRYCE FAULK FR | DL

COACHING STAFF

HC KENNI BURNS Head Coach AC COLIN FERRELL Assistant Head Coach | D-Line

OC MATT JOHNSON Off. Coordinator | QBs OL MATT LIMEGROVER Co-OC | O-Line

TE MARK CARNEY Tight Ends | Slot WRs RB MARK WATSON Running Backs | Recruiting

WR NICK FAUS Wide Receivers DC DAVE DUGGAN Def. Coordinator | LB

ST

KODY MORGAN Special Teams | Safties CB CJ COX Cornerbacks | Passing Game

RE CJ ROBBINS Rush Ends/Recruiting SC JAKE NIEDERMANN Strength and Conditioning

CCSU DEPTH CHART

2023 Central Connecticut Football Two-Deep Game 1 • September 2 • AIC GAME

Specialists

CCSU ROSTER

2023 Central Connecticut Football Roster

as of 8/29/23 (Number in parentheses is for WHITE jersey only)

CCSU ROSTER CONT.

DIX STADIUM PARKING

Parking and Tailgating:

• All tailgating activities in the Dix Stadium parking areas are subject to the laws and regulations of the State of Ohio and/or the City of Kent Police.

• Parking in the Dix Stadium east and west lots are accessible via permit or by paying $10 on game day

• Free parking is available in the lots on Summit Street west of Route 261. Shuttle service is available from those lots.

• Stadium parking lots open three hours prior to game time.

• Charcoal grills are encouraged for tailgating and can be disposed of in the indicated red trash cans in the tailgating areas.

• Propane tanks, glass, and kegs are not permitted in stadium lots.

• Tailgating activities should not take up vacant parking spaces or interfere with traffic flow within Stadium parking lots.

• Parking spaces are available on the day of the game on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Drive lanes in parking lots must be maintained at all times.

• Parking permit holders are responsible for the functions they host in their parking spaces.

ROBERT C. DIX STADIUM

AROUND DIX STADIUM

2213 SUMMIT RD, KENT, OHIO 44242

Concessions:

• Concessions are available on the west side of Dix Stadium with stands located towards both the north and the south end zone.

• Fans can also visit the concession stand behind the east stands and the hall of fame plaza behind the south end zone.

• Concessions are cashless at Dix Stadium. Alcohol is available to purchase and consume in the stadium for fans 21 years of age or older with a valid photo ID.

• Alcohol will not be allowed into or out of the stadium.

Restrooms:

Restrooms are available at all 4 corners of Dix Stadium. (see map)

Lost and Found:

• If you have misplaced an item on game day, please go to the Ticket Office on the west side of the stadium or call the main line at 330-672-4455 and leave a message.

• Unclaimed items on the day of the game will be moved to the main ticket office in the MAC Center.

• Any items not picked up within 48 hours of the event are turned in to campus police. Their number is 330-6722212.

THE GOLDEN FLASHES CLUB THE GOLDEN FLASHES CLUB

The Golden Flashes Club is a group comprised of passionate donors to Kent State Athletics which depends on philanthropy to provide Kent State student-athletes the assistance they need to excel academically and athletically. Your tax-deductible gift to The Golden Flashes Club allows Kent State to provide support to more than 400 student-athletes every year, as well as operational support for 19 varsity sports as well as Cheer and Dance programs. The primary goal of The Golden Flashes Club is to help offset the $7.2 million annual scholarship bill and capital enhancements to Kent State athletic facilities.

The Golden Flashes Club office is located in the Scolin MacLean Lounge on the ground floor of the MAC Center near the ticket office.

In recognition of your support, The Golden Flashes Club can provide members with various hospitality options, premium seating opportunities, preferred parking, donor appreciation games with game day giveaways, special events and much more. We thank YOU for being a part of Kent State Athletics and your support of our student-athletes!

CROWDFUNDING

Kent State Athletics will offer the unique opportunity to donate directly to a Kent State coach’s crowdfunding campaign at www.kentstatesports.com/SuportYourSport. Each team will be crowdfunding in this year’s campaign.

VARSITY K CLUB

The Varsity K Club strives to unite former student-athlete, cheer/dance members, athletic trainers and student managers for the mutual benefit of the University and those attending Kent State University. Varsity K Club offers unique opportunities to stay connected with the university and return to visit campus. We aim to promote KSU by keeping members informed on academics and athletics.

To become an active member of the Varsity K Club go to KentStateSports.com/VarsityK. Your membership includes:

• Exclusive access for you and one (1) guest to the Varsity K All Sport Reunion at the Homecoming Football game.

• Yearly All Sports Pass

• All Sports Pass are for GA seating

• Yearly Sports Passes cannot be used for anyone but the Varsity K Member

• Invitation to Flashes helping Flashes Networking/Career Night events. This is an opportunity to engage and meet with recent student-athlete graduates and build your network with former athletes.

• Access to exclusive alumni team apparel.

††Access to The President’s Blue & Gold Suite and Patio is for up to two ticketed individuals. Please contact your philanthropic advisor for families greater than two.

HOSPITALITY BENEFITS

FOOTBALL HOSPITALITY BENEFITS

PRESIDENT’S

BLUE & GOLD SUITE††

• Open to donors $5,000+

• Must purchase suite season tickets

Amenities include:

- Indoor suite seating

- Complimentary food and full-service bar

PRESIDENT’S SUITE

BLUE & GOLD PATIO††

• Open to donors $2,500+

• Must purchase patio season tickets

Amenities include:

- Heated outdoor patio seating

- Complimentary food and full-service bar

JIM AND CAROLYN PHELAN LOUNGE

• Open to donors $500+

Amenities include:

- Indoor and outdoor guest areas

- Cash bar and appetizers

††Access to The President’s Blue & Gold Suite and Patio is for up to two ticketed individuals. Please contact your philanthropic advisor for families greater than two.

GROUP TICKET BENEFITS

Looking to bring your group or host an event at an upcoming home game? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at our group benefits chart and make the most out of your game day experience! Contact the ticket office at 330-672-4455 for more details

SEASON TICKET PACKAGES

VICE PRESIDENT-DIRECTOR OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

RANDALE L. RICHMOND THIRD SEASON

Randale L. Richmond was formally introduced as the 12th Athletic Director at Kent State University on April 9, 2021. He began his tenure as Athletic Director on May 1, 2021.

This is Richmond’s second stint at Kent State University. He previously spent 10 years with the Golden Flashes working in Student-Athlete Academic Services and Compliance. Richmond started as a graduate assistant before serving as an Assistant Director of Compliance starting in 2006. He was elevated to the Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance in 2010, then promoted to Associate Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services & Compliance in 2012. Richmond served in that role until 2015 when he was hired by Old Dominion University.

Richmond arrived at Old Dominion University in February of 2015 as the Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Sport Administration and Student-Athlete Welfare. In that role, he was responsible for the leadership, oversight, and supervision related to StudentAthlete Academic Services, Leadership Development, and NCAA Compliance. He also served as the Sport Administrator for the men’s basketball, field hockey, baseball, men’s soccer and men’s and women’s swimming programs. During his oversight of those sports, he had a direct impact in fundraising and program enhancement, raising over $1.5 million dollars and increasing the men’s soccer’s fundraising efforts over 500%. In addition, Richmond served on a number of campus committees, including the Brother 2 Brother Steering Committee and the President’s Task Force on Inclusive Excellence where he served as the co-chair. He took the lead on developing and enhancing numerous programs at Old Dominion including the revamping of the Monarch’s Competitive Excellence Plan and the implementation of a Sport Administration Executive Summary, which is designed to track each sport’s success in terms of the goals set in the Old Dominion strategic plan. He also started the New Employee Welcome Plan which helps new employees experience early success and provides connections with current employees.

During his time at ODU, Richmond successfully led the department through a NCAA Academic Performance Program Review, a Conference USA (C-USA) Compliance Audit, as well as an internal Institutional Control Review. Under his leadership, ODU implemented a number of progressive student-athlete programs, including its first ever Student-Athlete Leadership Academy. The Monarch Athletic Department achieved all-time highs in Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores, Graduation Success Rate (GSR) scores, and department Grade Point Average (GPA). ODU led Conference USA in Commissioner’s Honor Roll recipients in each of his final four seasons with the Monarchs. In terms of Sport Administration, both the baseball and men’s soccer programs realized great success in fundraising, classroom performance, and on the field with both teams earning national rankings and the men’s soccer program winning its second C-USA Championship in 2017.

Richmond served on the LEAD1 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Working Group and is a current member of the National Association for Athletic Compliance (NAAC) Thought Leaders Group and cochairs the NAAC Convention Committee. He has participated in the Collegiate Athletics Leadership Symposium, the D1A Athletics Director’s Institute, and the NAAC ACE Mentoring Program. He is also a graduate of the NCAA Leadership Institute where he was selected as the graduation speaker for the 2015 class. In 2014, Richmond was named to the Crain’s Cleveland Business list of ‘Who to Watch in Education’ and Kaleidoscope Magazine’s ‘40 Under 40 Club’ in 2013. The Akron, Ohio, native received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Baldwin-Wallace College in 2004 with a major in history and a minor in sociology. He then earned his Master of Education degree from Kent State in 2006.

Randale and his wife, Ja’Alycia, have two sons, Ramahn and Ramar, and one daughter, Jayla.

DISCOVER KENT STATE

At Kent State University, we work to meet students wherever they may be and for all that they are. We welcome curious minds, engaged with promise and possibilities, who are eager to learn, work and grow as a community — as a family. Our university holds the esteemed distinction of being one of only five institutions in Ohio to be recognized as a top-tier research university with the R1 designation by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Kent State also is the sole university in the U.S. to receive the prestigious 2022 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization, which recognizes Kent State for overall excellence in integrating international education throughout all facets of the university and its campuses. Moving forward together, Golden Flashes support each other and share transformational experiences, going above and beyond to ensure student success. And always, Flashes Take Care of Flashes.

For more than 100 years, Kent State has provided outstanding educational opportunities and produced graduates who have literally changed the world. We have more than 273,500 alumni worldwide, and successful Kent State graduates can be found working in nearly every industry and business category.

The current student body comprises more than 33,000 students, including more than 1,650 international students from nearly 100 countries.

The university’s eight-campus system is one of the country’s largest, with eight campuses spanning Northeast Ohio, a College of Podiatric Medicine, a Twinsburg Academic Center and academic sites in major world cities, such as New York City, Florence, Italy ; and Curitiba, Brazil.

Kent State is one of Ohio’s leading public universities and a major educational, economic and cultural resource far beyond the Northeast Ohio region.

Empowering tomorrow’s leaders

Our highly acclaimed, international faculty inspires students in their chosen courses of study while blending classroom instruction and hands-on experiential learning opportunities in nationally ranked academic programs. Our research programs look toward the future by addressing today’s important technological, medical and societal challenges.

Kent State is the highest-ranking public university in northern Ohio on the Top Public Schools and Best National Universities lists by U.S. News & World Report. Our R1 research designation affirms Kent State’s place as a top-tier research university along with Yale, Harvard and the University of California-Berkeley. The university offers more than 370 undergraduate programs of study and more than 220 master’s and doctoral programs of study.

The addition of new learning environments from the sciences to the arts and the development of exciting new academic programs characterize Kent State’s focus on transformational educational experiences that truly prepare our graduates for the challenges of their career fields.

Experience our Kent Campus

Our beautiful and spacious Kent Campus offers tree-lined paths for walking, biking and running. The Kent Campus houses the largest residential population in Northeast Ohio and is the home of Kent State’s championship-winning athletic programs. A recreation and wellness center features basketball courts, a rock climbing wall, two swimming pools and the latest fitness equipment.

From the center of campus, it’s just a short walk from one of Northeast Ohio’s most vibrant small towns, the city of Kent – alive with casual dining, shopping and live music. The best way to discover Kent State is to visit. The university offers an exceptional program for students and their families to tour the campus and learn about all it has to offer.

Visit www.kent.edu/visit for complete details.

QUICK FACTS

1. Kent State has been awarded the esteemed R1 status for research, the highest recognition that doctoral universities can receive, by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, affirming Kent State’s place as a top-tier research institution.

2. Kent State is the sole university in the U.S. to receive the prestigious 2022 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization from NAFSA: Association of International Educators, which recognizes Kent State for overall excellence in integrating international education throughout all facets of the university and its campuses.

3. Kent State is a national leader in award-winning student support services to graduate students.

4. Kent State is the highest-ranking public university in northern Ohio on the Top Public Schools and Best National Universities lists by U.S. News & World Report.

5. Kent State’s School of Fashion is ranked one of the top 25 fashion schools in the world by renowned fashion news source Fashionista.

One of 13 libraries in the campus system, University Library houses core undergraduate materials and specialized research collections needed by graduate students and faculty.

UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Todd Diacon became Kent State University’s 13th president in July 2019. A tireless advocate for student success, President Diacon has more than 30 years of experience in higher education leadership.

His commitment to college affordability and access has resulted in nationally recognized initiatives to boost student retention, graduation rates and academic achievement.

President Diacon joined Kent State as provost in 2012 and has been at the forefront of expanding Kent State’s international presence, has led the charge to recruit and promote more diverse faculty, and has helped the university attract world-renowned leaders in the fields of aviation, engineering, brain health, liquid crystals, and peace and conflict studies.

Before coming to Kent State, President Diacon served as deputy chancellor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he also was a professor of history. He began his career at the University of Tennessee as a history professor.

A native of Wellington, Kansas, President Diacon specializes in agrarian history and the history of central state power in Brazil. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southwestern College in Kansas and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He has authored publications on student success and the administration of higher education, and he has written numerous journal articles and two books, including “Stringing Together a Nation,” which won the 2005 Warren Dean Memorial Prize for the most significant book on Brazilian history.

President Diacon is married to Moema Furtado, an accomplished artist with strong experience in higher education, including previous teaching and leadership roles with Kent State’s College of the Arts and Office of Global Education. The couple has one grown son. In addition to cheering on the Golden Flashes at many sporting events, the couple enjoys attending music and theater performances and local festivals.

President Diacon is an avid runner and has completed seven marathons. However, his “first love” is riding motorcycles, and he looks forward to returning to the road.

PRESIDENT TODD DIACON FAMOUS ALUMNI

MELODY TANKERSLEY, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President and Provost

CHARLENE K. REED, Ph.D. Vice President and University Secretary

WILLIS WALKER, LL.M., J.D. Vice President and General Counsel

MARK M. POLATAJKO, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration

Arsenio

Lou

Danniel

Alice

Nick

Connie

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

PEGGY SHADDUCK,

AMOABA GOODEN, Ph.D. Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

SEAN BROGHAMMER, Ph.D. Vice President for Enrollment Management

STEPHEN WARD Vice President for University Communications and Marketing

Linda Allard, ’62 Fashion designer.

Josh Cribbs, ’10 Former NFL Pro Bowler.

Julian Edelman, ’19 Former New England Patriots wide receiver and 2019 Super Bowl MVP.

Hall, ’77 Actor and comedian.

Holtz, ’59 Legendary college football coach.

Capt. Stephanie Johnson, ’91 First Black female captain for Delta Air Lines.

Ripley, ’86 Tony Award-winning actress.

Saban, ’73 Legendary college football coach.

Schultz, ’92 Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist.

Thomas-Dodd, ’16 and ’17 Track and field Olympian.