Lou Holtz tickets first item up for bidding

The Kent State athletic department began a new online auction service last week. Kent State Auctions, located at the KentStateSports.com online store, will occasionally have items available for bidding that would appeal to sports fans.

Alan Ashby, director of athletic communications, said the Web site’s publisher, JumpTV.com, already hosts auctions with some of their other college sports partners.

“Our web provider has pitched the idea to us a couple of times,” Ashby said. “Many schools on the JumpTV network have a lot of success with auctions.”

The first item Kent State has placed up for bid is a pair of tickets to see Lou Holtz speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, in the Student Center Ballroom, and also to a pre-speech reception at 5:30 p.m. where heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served. This auction ends Thursday at 3 p.m.

Ashby isn’t certain how often there would be items auctioned off.

“We’d like to do them fairly regularly,” Ashby said. “We’ll see how the first couple go and make a decision from there.”

He also mentioned to expect a wide variety of Flashes-related items to be available in the future.

“We’re hoping to have autographed memorabilia and photos, apparel and special game experiences, to name a few,” Ashby said.

All money raised from the auctions will be used for the benefit of Kent State’s student-athletes.

“We’re looking at putting the proceeds towards the summer school scholarship fund or the general Blue & Gold scholarship fund,” Ashby said. “The decision has not been finalized quite yet.”

To bid on items, visit KentStateSports.com. To access the store, click on the auction link.

Contact news correspondent Jody Michael at [email protected].