The Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center Turns 75
The Memorial Athletic and Convocation (MAC) Center on the Kent Campus is a bustling community hub, which opened in 1950 to honor the brave Golden Flashes who fought in World War II. Its iconic facade was constructed in a 1992 renovation, and today the MAC Center hosts Kent State’s basketball, gymnastics, volleyball and wrestling teams as well as convocation, commencement, entertainment and community events.
On the Court
1978
Men's Basketball vs. Soviet Union National Team
Nov. 8, 1978
The Golden Flashes Men’s Basketball team played host to the Russian National team in 1978. The Soviets were on a 13-game tour of the United States at the time. Five Soviet players scored in the double digits as the Russians defeated Kent State 80-69. Before the game, about 50 people protested the Soviet presence on campus.
1996
Women's Basketball Team - 43 Straight Home Wins
1996-2002
From 1996 to 2002, the Kent State Women’s Basketball team dominated their opponents in the MAC Center. The team won 43 straight games, and 50 straight conference games at home, under Head Coach Bob Lindsay. In 1998, the Golden Flashes finished the season with a perfect 18-0 record in the Mid-American Conference.
2001
LeBron James, St. Vincent-St. Mary vs. Roger Bacon
Dec. 22, 2001
A packed crowd greeted “The Chosen One,” as high school junior LeBron James and his teammates at St. Vincent-St. Mary High battled Roger Bacon at the MAC Center. Two months later, James would appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated and become a household name. The Fighting Irish won the game 79-70 but would lose the rematch in the Ohio Division II State Championship game.
2001-2002
Men’s Basketball Elite 8 Run
2001-2002
The 2001-2002 Kent State Men’s Basketball team took fans on a thrill ride unlike any other. Led by standouts Antonio Gates, Trevor Huffman and Demetric Shaw, the Flashes finished conference play with a 17-1 record. After winning the MAC Championship, the team defeated three straight ranked teams, to advance to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight.
Behind the Mic
1967
Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong
Oct. 21, 1967
How’s this for a Homecoming concert? 1967 brought Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong to the MAC Center. Ray Charles played first and tickets to his show cost $2.50. Armstrong closed out the night with a free performance.
1967
The Temptations
Nov. 12, 1967
A capacity crowd gave The Temptations a standing ovation following their two-hour 1967 concert. Decked out in black tuxedos, they opened the show with a medley of their vintage hits. They closed out the night with a rendition of "I'm Losing You."
1968
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
Oct. 13, 1968
Greek Week 1968 concluded with a concert by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. They wowed the crowd by opening the show with “I Second That Emotion.” Robinson met with reporters after the concert and discussed the upcoming presidential election.
1970
Jefferson Airplane
Oct. 11, 1970
Homecoming 1970 brought two very different musical genres to the MAC Center. On Friday night, the building hosted Henry Mancini and his orchestra, with The Carpenters opening. But the next evening belonged to Jeffrson Airplane. The sold-out crowd heard the group play hits like “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit.”
1972
Elton John
May 5, 1972
Elton John brought his piano-playing theatrics to the MAC Center in 1972. The concert occurred a couple of weeks after John released “Rocket Man” as the first single off his upcoming album. The song, which he played during his Kent State show, rose to No. 6 in the Billboard Hot 100 and has since surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify.
1973
Santana
Feb. 15, 1973
A venue so nice they played it twice. Santana brought their Latin-rock sounds to the MAC Center in 1973. The tour was the first without several key early members and the band was transitioning into a more instrumental, jazz fusion direction. Santana would return to Kent State in 1978 to play a Homecoming concert.
1973
Pink Floyd
March 10, 1973
Nine days after releasing their classic “Dark Side of the Moon” album, British progressive rockers Pink Floyd brought their tour to the MAC Center. The band opened with five older songs, before playing “Dark Side” in its entirety. The album is among the top five best-selling records of all-time, with 45 million copies sold.
1975
Joe Walsh
March 13, 1975
Kent State alumnus Joe Walsh returned to the MAC Center as a solo artist in 1975. Walsh formed the James Gang while attending Kent State, playing everywhere from downtown bars to Eastway. Before the show, Walsh recounted his “old crazy days” on campus and living in Manchester Hall back in 1965.
1975
The Eagles
May 3, 1975
The Eagles 1975 concert at the MAC Center was the subject of controversy. The show occurred on May 3, as the university was preparing to mark the fifth annual commemoration of May 4, 1970. The band promised to end the show by 10:30 p.m., so students had time to attend the annual candlelight vigil. They even offered to participate in the memorial program. During the concert, the band covered Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Ohio” to mark the somber occasion.
1975
Linda Ronstadt
May 11, 1975
1975 saw a female artist shine in the MAC Center spotlight, as Linda Ronstadt brought her tour to the building. Ronstadt was fresh off her first No. 1 album, “Heart Like a Wheel,” which featured hits like “You’re No Good” and “When Will I Be Loved.” Both songs were on the setlist that night.
1982
The Clash
Oct. 17, 1982
The Clash set the tone early during their 1982 concert, walking on stage and immediately launching into the classic “London Calling.” The show saw the band perform at a breakneck pace for an hour and 40 minutes, playing hits like “Rock the Casbah,” “Train in Vain” and “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” The band would release one more album before splitting up.
2011
Bruno Mars
April 28, 2011
Bruno Mars opened his 2011 show with a bang, hopping behind the drums before grabbing a guitar and stepping up to the mic. Mars was touring in support of his very first album, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard music charts. The show, which was part of Flash Fest, was his first since returning to the U.S. after a short European tour.
2014
Chance the Rapper
Oct. 23, 2014
Chance the Rapper was booked to play the MAC Center after a survey of students revealed him to be the top choice. At the time, he had released just two mixtapes and one single. Chance performed at Kent State three full years before winning the Grammy for Best New Artist.
Concerts at the MAC Center
From rock legends and chart-topping pop acts to country icons and groundbreaking tours, the MAC Center has hosted some of the biggest names in music history. This playlist brings those nights back to life, with one song from each of the 75 concerts that helped define the soundtrack of the past seven decades.
In the Spotlight
1954
Eleanor Roosevelt
Jan. 12, 1954
In 1954, approximately 5,000 students, faculty and residents attended a speech by former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. At the time, the crowd was considered the largest in the history of the university. Roosevelt expressed support for lowering the voting age to 18, which would eventually happen in 1971.
1969
Muhammad Ali
April 8, 1969
Former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali visited campus in 1969, speaking at Think Week events and making appearances in several classrooms. Ali’s speech centered on the concept of Black power. After his talk, Ali shadowboxed with a group of fraternity brothers.
2002
Maya Angelou
April 15, 2002
Maya Angelou told more than 4,000 students, faculty and visitors to be a “rainbow in the clouds” during her 2002 speech. She explained to the crowd that “each of us has the possibility of shining on someone.” Angelou also told those in attendance that poetry is essential to a complete education.
2018
Dan Rather
May 4, 2018
Legendary journalist and news anchor Dan Rather spoke at the MAC Center on May 4, 2018, as part of the Presidential Speaker Series. He discussed his memories of the tragic shootings, saying “dissent is important.” His visit coincided with the shooting site becoming a National Historic Landmark.
Support the MAC Center
Add a Replica of the MAC Center to Your Desk
Celebrate the MAC Center at 75 by making a $75 gift and taking home your own replica arena – a unique keepsake that honors the past while supporting the future of Golden Flashes Athletics.
Help Tell the Story
MAC Center Memories Survey
As Kent State celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (MAC Center) this academic year, we would like to hear from our alumni and students about what makes this historic part of our campus special to you!
Witness MAC Center History
Featured Events at the MAC Center
As the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center celebrates its 75th anniversary, these Golden Flashes competitions highlight the season ahead:
Volleyball
vs. Buffalo
Oct. 3 (Fri) @ 6 p.m.
Men’s Basketball
vs. Troy
Nov. 3 (Mon) @ 7 p.m.
Women’s Basketball
vs. Walsh
Nov. 10 (Mon) @ 5 p.m.
Gymnastics
vs. Northern Illinois
Jan. 11 (Sun) @ 1 p.m.