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Courtesy: Kent State Athletic Communications
February 22, 2010
AKRON, Ohio - Kent State Director of Athletics Laing Kennedy and former heavyweight wrestler Jermail Porter were among the 13 honorees at the Dapper Dan Club of Akron banquet on Sunday, Feb. 14 at The Tangier.
Kennedy was given the William Falor Award For Career Achievement, while Porter, was one of 10 athletes presented with an achievement award.
Under Kennedy's leadership, Kent State teams have won 87 Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament championships. Individually, Golden Flashes student-athletes have claimed 251 individual MAC titles while earning 84 All-America honors and 29 Academic All-America citations. In 2008-09 the Golden Flashes captured their fourth MAC men's (Reese) all-sports trophy. On the women's side KSU finished second in the Jacoby all-sports trophy standings - their 12th consecutive top three finish.
An Akron native, Porter finished sixth at the 2009 NCAA Wrestling Championships, becoming Kent State's first All-American in 23 seasons. As a senior he was named Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Year after winning tournament titles at the MAC Championships, the Southern Scuffle and the Body Bar Invitational. Porter's 119 career victories are the fourth most in school history.
Also honored with an achievement award was former Kent State cross country runner Jeff Howard. A four-year letterwinner (1989-1992) at KSU, Howard has coached Woodridge High School to four consecutive state championships in boys cross country. He is in his 12th year of coaching track & field and cross country at Woodridge.
Formed in 1959, The Dapper Dan Club of Akron holds annual banquets to recognize outstanding sports achievement, while raising money for local youth charities.
