Working a Basketball Game

Wait? Is that who I think It Is?

Basketball fans always have a lot to look at when Kent State and Akron do battle, and that was definitely the case Jan. 31 at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.

As expected, the game was fierce, with lead changes and momentum swings. What fans didn’t expect was what happened during the timeouts.

“I’m a pretty nervous watcher of basketball, but when you have the mop, you have to think about your job and not get so nervous,” said Kent State President Todd Diacon.

Diacon left the comfort of the stands to work the game by keeping the floors mopped and dry, which is imperative for player safety.

“It’s fun as well. I enjoyed mopping the floor at the Akron game because I got to see the game from a completely different angle,” Diacon said. “I got to sit right in front of our band and I'm a huge fan and supporter of our bands.”

Diacon and Melody Tankersley, interim senior vice president and provost, tag-teamed the timeouts with quick trips on and off the basketball court. Sometimes the two high-fived, much to the delight of fans in the stands.

Sweeping the MAC Center is part of the ongoing “Todd Tries It” initiative where President Diacon is immersed in an academic or campus activity to further connect with students, staff and faculty.

“When we think about ‘Flashes Take Care of Flashes,’ part of that is that we’re familiar with one another,” Diacon said. “It’s fun as well. I enjoyed mopping the floor at the Akron game because I got to see the game from a completely different angle. I got to sit right in front of our band and I'm a huge fan and supporter of our bands.”

"When we think about ‘Flashes Take Care of Flashes,’ part of that is that we’re familiar with one another"

Players, coaches and fans cheered Diacon and Tankersley at each brea,k and especially during critical timeouts in the closing seconds. But while fans were biting their nails, Diacon admits he was relaxed by having to focus on his job for the night.

“I was the least nervous I had ever been at a game,” he said.

Diacon’s poise with the mop equaled the team’s poise in rallying for a 68-67 victory over their closest rivals, leaving fans with two key memories -- a victory and seeing their president doing his part to help the team.

“It’s part of a larger effort to make sure that everyone on our campus knows who we are and what we do,” he said.

A win both for the Golden Flashes and for this Todd Tries It experience!.