KENT, Ohio – Each swipe of a new Kent State Flashes credit card will help support the university’s athletics programs, 717 Credit Union announced Thursday.
The announcement came during the latest Coffee and Connections networking event hosted by 717 Credit Union and The Business Journal at the credit union’s Kent branch.
The new card allows users to support Kent State athletics through everyday purchases. Every swipe of the card returns 7.17 cents to Kent State University’s student athletics programs.
John Demmler, CEO of 717 Credit Union, said the card also offers a 7.17% balance transfer rate that remains in place for the life of the balance.
“It has the lowest rate in the country,” Demmler said. “Today the national average interest rate for a credit card is 24%. This is a third of that interest rate, so you can transfer your balances over, and that stays at that rate for life.”
He added that the partnership reflects the credit union’s long-standing ties to Kent State University.
“Kent is a very special place for us,” Demmler said, noting that 717 traces its roots to the Kent State Students Credit Union before a series of mergers eventually formed the current organization.
The event also featured speakers from Kent State athletics who discussed their programs and their role in attracting students to the region.
Brianne Tierney, coach of the Kent State women’s lacrosse program, said athletics can help bring students from across the country to northeastern Ohio and that many of them choose to stay after graduation.
“We’ve recruited student-athletes from Canada, from Minnesota, from upstate New York,” Tierney said. “Upon graduation, their experience was so good that they’d depart for a few months and come back and settle in, back in Kent because they loved this place. And they loved our town, and they just loved their experience here.”
She said the ability to recruit students nationally and see them remain in the area reflects the impact the university and community can have on young people’s long-term plans.
“For me to recruit kids from all over the country, and then they choose to stay in Kent, Ohio, has been wonderful,” Tierney said.
Tierney also discussed the progress of her program, noting the team recently returned from a trip to Oregon and is preparing to begin Mid-American Conference play.
Kent State wrestling coach Josh Moore also spoke at the event, highlighting the role community support plays in collegiate athletics.
“Without the community getting behind us and local organizations, we just wouldn’t have the resources that we’ve had to provide these kids with a great experience,” Moore said.
Moore also highlighted the program’s recent success, noting two wrestlers advanced to the national championships.
“So two guys wrestle at nationals for the first time in three years,” Moore said. “So it’s exciting to see these guys represent Kent State on the national scene.”
Coffee and Connections is a monthly networking program designed to bring together business owners, professionals and community leaders from across northeastern Ohio.
Thursday’s event drew one of the largest crowds in the series so far.
“I can tell you, the parking lot is full, so we have some illegal parking going on, including my car,” Demmler told the audience with a laugh.
The Coffee and Connections series is held monthly at various 717 Credit Union branches and aims to foster relationships and collaboration among business and community leaders throughout the region.
Upcoming events in the 2026 series are scheduled for March 19 at the Canton branch; April 16 at the Larchmont/Warren branch; May 21 at the Wallhaven branch; June 18 at the Ravenna branch; Aug. 20 at the Howland branch; Sept. 17 at the Hubbard branch; Oct. 15 at the Streetsboro branch; Nov. 19 at the Vienna branch; and Dec. 17 at the downtown Akron branch.
You can register for future events HERE.
Pictured at top: From left are Josh Moore, Kent State University wrestling coach; Brian Williams, 717 Credit Union western market senior vice president; Anne Stormer, 717 Kent branch manager; Dorian Smith, 717 senior vice president for marketing and business development; John Demmler, 717 president and CEO; Wendy Ellis Jones, Kent State Golden Flashes general manager.