The Dr. Paula Treckel Women’s Golf Program and the Herb Page Men’s Golf Program are the formal names of Kent State’s teams, though many students and fans may not be familiar with the figures after whom the programs are named.
In 2025 the Kent State women’s golf team was officially named after Dr. Treckel, a graduate from Kent State’s class of ‘73. At the same time, the men’s team was named after former coach and Kent State student athlete Herb Page, class of ‘74.
Page participated in multiple sports at Kent State and ultimately became the head golf coach in 1977, serving as the golf director until 2019. The team made the NCAA Championship 17 times under Page and made four top 10 finishes.
Page was also crucial to establishing the women’s golf program, which would later be named after Dr. Paula Treckel.
Dr. Treckel led a prolific career in higher education. Upon her graduation from KSU, Dr. Treckel earned her M.A. and Ph.D. at Syracuse University. Soon after, she taught at the College of Saint Benedict, Saint John’s University in Minnesota, and Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, where she was later honored with the Julian Ross Award for Excellence in Teaching.
These two figures’ significant donations were influential in establishing multiple programs at Kent State, including the Herb Page and Paula Treckel Golf Scholarship, Dr. Karl F. Treckel Endowed Economics Scholarship, and Eleanore L. Treckel Endowed Nursing Scholarship. Their passion for not only the sport but also for the athletes motivated these contributions, which made these programs possible
“I wouldn’t be here without both of them and what they’ve done for our golf program, and probably none of our student athletes would be here either,” said women’s golf coach Casey VanDamme. “Coach Page set the vision for the program, and Dr. Treckel’s been very involved as well in helping us along the way.”
Along with these financial contributions, Page and Dr. Treckel helped to establish the $2.2 million Ferrara and Page Golf Training and Learning Center for the teams, where they will still stop by on occasion.
“They’re still very involved,” said VanDamme. “He’s not at our facility too much, but we’ll still see him out at Windmill Lakes Golf Course, which he manages and is a part owner of.”
The Flashes’ prolific golf programs would not be here without the figures of Dr. Paula Treckel and Herb Page. Their consistent generosity to the team and to the school has no doubt left a great impact on the student athletes and all involved with the teams.
“They get a good dose of positivity every time they see them,” said VanDamme. “The student athletes know that they’re the number one supporters of them.”
Luke Nedved is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
