Finding Aid for the KSU Sports Information Films Collection

Repository: Kent State University. Special Collections and Archives.
Title: KSU Sports Information Films Collection
Inclusive Dates: 1939-2007
Author: Finding Aid prepared by Kristin Silvestro, March 2026.
Origination: Kent State University. Libraries. Department of Special Collections and Archives.
Extent: 93.57 cubic feet (279 legal document cases, 4 flat reel boxes, and 1 half record storage box)
Physical Location: 11th Floor
Abstract: This collection contains films from Kent State University athletics.
Language: English
Descriptive Rules: DACS 2nd Edition

Scope and Content: This collection contains film from Kent State University athletics. The vast majority of the collection is football films covering games, scrimmages, and unidentified events from 1939 through 1989. There are some 2000s football films that were transferred on CDs. Most of the football games transferred on film have multiple reels. The reels may be split by quarter, by offense, defense, and kicking, or a combination of both. Not all films will have sound, and most are the films used for internal team use not for broadcast purposes. 

In addition to football there are basketball films covering games and some scrimmages from the 1950s through the mid-1980s, a few films related to gymnastics and diving, and a number of unidentified films. 

Special Collections and Archives cannot guarantee that a film reel inside a case matches the description written on the case. There are also unprocessed athletics films that are not included in this processed collection.

Preferred Citation: KSU Sports Information Films Collection. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Related Materials: Additional information on KSU athletics can be found in our Sports Information and Athletic Communications records.
Restrictions on Use: Copyright is retained by Kent State University.
Technical Access: The department does not have the equipment necessary to safely view or digitize these reels onsite. Please contact our department to learn about the options and costs associated with digitization of a reel or reels. 
Acquisition Information: The earliest set of films were transferred in June 1976. The largest portion of the collection was transferred to the University Archives on October 13, 1978; Additional films were transferred in September, 1980. Additional smaller transfers were also made after 1980. Additional provenance and transfer information is not known. 

Please contact the specialcollections [at] kent.edu (Special Collections and Archives) for information about how these films can be accessed.