12:30 p.m. Perry walks through the lobby, singing American Pie. Only 2 1/2 hours until game time.
12:35 p.m. Kent State's Marketing Associate Steve Sefner, who also does the play-by-play radio
announcing for the men's basketball and football teams, arrives at the M.A.C.C. Sefner has brought the games
to life over radio for the past six years, and this game marks his 167th broadcast for the men's basketball
team. Sefner says this game, despite being against the Golden Farch rivalchrival Zips, doesn't excite him any
more than the past 166 games he has called.
"They're all very special and unique," he says. "Whether it's against Akron, or Bowling Green or Buffalo,
this one is no different. I guess it is a little more exciting since it is Akron, but it's business as usual."
12:45 p.m. Malcolm Williams could bust your head in a second. He doesn't say so, but it's obvious. The
part-time security guard for Hall Entertainment Services leans against a column in the lobby of the M.A.C.C.,
coolly surveying people as they pass. In his left ear gleam two earrings — a big gold hoop and a shiny
diamond stud. His arms are crossed in front of his chest. He's tall and solid and looks prepared for anything.
Not that he expects any problems. A Saturday-afternoon Kent State basketball game is nothing
compared to some of the concerts Williams handles for Belkin Productions. On a danger scale of one to
nine, this is a one.
12:58 p.m. Tom Gray, a freshman criminal justice major, stands behind the front doors of the M.A.C.C.
A small group of people has gathered outside. But today the doors don't open until 1:30 p.m. Gray looks out at
them as he lets someone with a pass in.
"I feel like a real jerk making them wait."
1:02 p.m. A urinal in one of the men's bathrooms begins to overflow.
"It's Niagara Falls over there," Sefner says about the growing pool forming underneath the urinal that will
have a brown garbage bag draped over it 40 minutes from now.
1:05 p.m. The game is sold out, but Mark Hatch and his mom Nancy are determined to get in.
"We come to every game," Mark says. "And here it is the most important game of the season, and we're
standing out in the cold."
He sees his friend walking up to the M.A.C.C. from the parking lot. "Hey, do you have any extra tickets?"
His friend does.
"All we need is one more," Mark says. "And we'll be in."
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