Kent State's Herb Page to Retire After 41 Seasons
KENT, Ohio- Kent State University’s storied golf program will begin a new chapter in July. The 2018-19 golf season will be the final one for Herb Page as men’s head coach and director of golf. On Thursday, Page announced his upcoming retirement and the appointment of Jon Mills as men’s golf coach at the University.
A Markham, Ontario native, Page came to Kent, Ohio, as a three-sport, student-athlete (golf, football, ice hockey) in the fall of 1970 and has been a pillar in Kent State University’s athletic success ever since. His first Mid-American Conference Championship ring came as the kicker on the famed 1972 Golden Flashes football team.
After leading the men’s golf team to 22 MAC crowns and being a part of 20 conference titles in 20 seasons from the women’s team, Page is the proud owner of 43 MAC Championship rings.
“In addition to his outstanding success as a head coach, Herb was ahead of his time in so many areas,” Director of Athletics Joel Nielsen said. “He was a strong proponent of adding a women’s golf program and knew what needed to be done to sustain success. He also had the foresight to create a top-notch training facility that has played a huge role in the recruitment and development of our golfers. Plus, he started the Rango Invitational 33 years ago as a sport-specific fundraiser, which has raised millions of dollars for the men’s and women’s programs.”
Taking over in the fall of 1977, Page’s 41 seasons are the most by a head coach in any sport throughout Kent State’s history. For two years, Page served as a graduate assistant coach for both golf and soccer under Frank Truitt. He was also an assistant at Kent State’s golf course and ice arena.
Page earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degree at Kent State. In August of 2012, the experience at his alma mater came full circle as he delivered the University’s commencement address.
“Kent State means so much to me,” Page said. “I am forever grateful to the University and all of the administrators, staff and student-athletes I have had the privilege of coaching, who made our golf program so successful. This is my alma mater and the Kent community has been my home ever since. But most of all, I am indebted to the wonderful student-athletes I have worked with. It is humbling to reflect on all that they have achieved over the past 41 years and the amazing memories that we have made together.”
Page was instrumental in launching the women’s golf program in 1998. The women’s golf team has since won 20 consecutive MAC Championships, the longest streak by any sport in the history of the conference. Jan Dowling, Kent State’s first recruit and one of the program’s most decorated golfers, later made Kent State among the first programs to have a woman serve as an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s teams. She is now the women’s head golf coach at Michigan.
Numerous Golden Flashes went on to have successful professional golf careers, including 2003 British Open champion Ben Curtis. Seven of them are currently playing on pro tours: Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Conners (PGA), Ryan Yip(Web.com), Ian Holt and Taylor Pendrith (Canadian Tour). Chase Johnson (Latin America), Nick Latimer (Asian).
“I feel Herb is the best coach in America,” Curtis said. “The record shows that, but the support he provides to all former players is phenomenal, no matter what the player moves onto after graduation. I would not have had the success that I’ve had without his coaching, guidance, support and friendship.”
A number of other Kent State alums have made successful careers around the game of golf, including David Griffith, tournament director and rules official for the Northern Ohio PGA. Donnie Darr serves as an assistant coach at Oklahoma State. Others include Mark Wise with Titleist, Joe Lombardi with Foot Joy, Ned Weaver, who serves as the PGA Professional at StoneWater Golf Club, and Rob Moss is the PGA Professional at Pepper Pike Club.
“Herb instilled in me what passion, hard work, dedication and loyalty meant in achieving team and individual goals,” Griffith said. “I continue to use these lessons in my career. Herb is my biggest mentor in my life and I am extremely proud to be a part of the Kent State tradition.”
On June 4, Page will be inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Northern Ohio PGA Golf Hall of Fame, Kent State’s Varsity “K” Hall of Fame, the Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame and the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame. In 2008, Page was honored with the GCAA Labron Harris Sr. Award, presented to the college whose support of the game through teaching, coaching and involvement in the community has helped ensure the continued growth of the game of golf. He was also chosen to coach the U.S. team at the 1998 World Junior Championships and the International Team at the 2018 Palmer Cup.
In September of 2007, the Ferrara and Page Golf Training Center was dedicated. The state-of-art $2.1 million facility remains one of the best in the nation. Dr. Emilio Ferrara, who served on Kent State’s board of trustees provided the lead gift. A longtime mentor to Page, the pair have worked together at Windmill Lakes Golf Club for nearly four decades.
“When it came to starting the women’s program and planning for the Training Center, we decided we were going to do it right from day one,” Emeritus Director of Athletics Laing Kennedy said. “And Herb was the driving force behind it. Having those dreams realized brings so much satisfaction when you look back on it.”
Jon Mills
The years of dedication Page has put into Kent State athletics will be felt far beyond his retirement. And he is confident in handing over the baton to Mills, his former player and associate head coach.
After serving four seasons as associate head coach, Mills will become the 10th head coach in the program’s 86-season history, following 41 years of leadership by Page.
The Golden Flashes have won MAC Championships in all seven seasons that Mills has been affiliated with the program as a player and a coach.
“Being able to become the next head coach here at Kent State is surreal,” Mills said. “I had amazing experiences while playing golf here at Kent State and now having the opportunity to coach here is incredible. Coach Page has taught me a lot over the years and I look forward to using that knowledge to continue this already elite program. We will continue to set high goals for this program and work extremely hard to fulfill them.”
Mills remains the only All-America first-team selection in the history of Kent State’s program. As a senior, the Corbyville, Ontario native finished sixth individually at the 2001 NCAA Championships. Mills played professionally for 14 years, including three on the PGA Tour. In 2003, he was the leading money-winner on the Canadian Tour. Mills was inducted into the Kent State Varsity “K” Hall of Fame in 2007. He became associate head coach of the men’s golf team in January of 2016.
“I couldn’t be happier to turn the reins over to Jon,” Page said. “His ability to play, teach and coach the game is as good as anybody. We couldn’t ask for a better person. His most important attribute is how he communicates with our student-athletes and motivates them. Jon will continue to develop great golfers and great people.”
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The men’s golf team returns to action March 11-12 at the General Hackler Championship in Myrtle Beach, S.C. This season, the Golden Flashes will host the 2019 Mid-American Conference Championships April 26-28, at Barrington Golf Club in Aurora, looking to win their fourth straight conference crown.
