Duncan and Team Look to Build on Successful Fall Heading into 2015 Season

When Head Coach Jeff Duncan took over Kent State’s baseball program in June 2013, he stated his vision to continue to move the program forward academically, athletically and socially.  This past fall semester, he has seen all three come to be.

Academically the team posted a 3.26 grade-point average, the highest ever for the program since such figures were calculated.  Three student-athletes had a perfect 4.0.  Athletically, Division I head coaches ranked the Golden Flashes 30^th in the country as tallied in Collegiate Baseball’s annual preseason poll while the program also signed the top recruiting class in the state of Ohio.  Both academics and athletics are easily quantifiable. 

But how do you measure success in the social sphere?

“We made a point to do something every week or every weekend this fall as far as being out in the community or doing some sort of outreach,” said Duncan.  “I think it is good for them because it keeps them humble.  I think our guys make a huge impact and they don’t even realize how big of an impact they make on the community.”

This past fall, the team made literacy kits for the Big Red Bookshelf project for the United Way on an early Saturday morning.  The kits were distributed to children in the community and the newly painted bookshelves were put out in places where families with young children visit.

Most memorably, the team spent a few Friday nights feeding the homeless in Akron, teaming up with the organization Springtime of Hope.  Their service did not go unnoticed.

“I just want to thank the people from Kent State University, the baseball team and all their associates

who have come along and helped out,” Springtime of Hope President Joe Montana said.  “Our efforts are clear that we would love to have the continuation of community support in the area, and we thank all of them for being a part of what we do at Springtime of Hope.”

Executive Director Karen McNeill was brought to tears in admiration and gratitude for the hours the team spent giving back to those in need, simply by helping serve a hot meal with a smile on their faces.

While hitting on all three pillars of Coach Duncan’s vision, the team also had time to bond and have fun.  Whether pulling off the Napoleon Dynamite routine at the annual Jock Jams event, dressing up in costume for the annual Halloween Hit-Off or being caught off guard as a Duncan look-alike Santa entertained their holiday party, the team has formed a cohesive unit.

How does all of this translate to the playing field come February?  That is yet to be seen.  But it is clear, from a team that has won a Mid-American Conference Championship in 14 of the last 15 years, forward is the only acceptable direction for the program.

“We need to stay humble and grounded and realize what this program is built on – it’s been built on passion,” said Duncan.  “Our baseball program is built on an unbelievable tradition of winning championships, and I think this year we need to have an edge to us and have an unbelievable passion, not look at the rankings or anything like that.”

That all will be on the forefront as the team begins practice this Friday leading up to opening day on Feb. 13.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do before we even start this season,” Duncan added.  “We’ve got talent, but we’ve got to have an edge and realize what this program is built on and not lose that.”