A new level of disappointment is constantly being unlocked in modern politics, and for some reason, the Buckeye State tends to find itself in the thick of it. Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy recently referenced, and not for the first time, closing Kent State University and the University of Akron, should he be elected this November.
As one Clevelander on X noted, "The 2 schools employ 13,000+ Ohioans." Kent State was founded in 1910. Akron was founded in 1870. That's over a century and a half of tradition being threatened by the Republican candidate in Ohio.
It's endlessly sad to think about. For Ohio State fans, though, there's an obvious question about what would happen to those funds.
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Would Ohio State get extra funding if Kent State and Akron close down?
Naturally, Ohio State would receive some extra funding if extra students from Kent State and Akron transferred there. But it likely wouldn't be much.
Students from those closed universities would need to enroll en masse at the Ohio State University in order for funding to significantly increase at OSU enough to make a difference in athletics. The University of Cincinnati is also part of the state system, so more enrollees at UC would swing more public funding their way. Of course, 10 other public universities can also get that enrollment instead.
Basically, it's a race for enrollment from the closed schools' student bodies. On paper, at least. It's not as though the state isn't known for some misappropriation of government funds. Ohio State has never been credibly connected to it, though.
Ramaswamy is not an OSU alum, so there's no reason to think the Buckeyes would magically benefit from this. Ohio State fans and alumni should not cheer for these schools to close.
College Football is better with traditions, and though the Wagon Wheel rivalry isn't at the level of national recognition as "The Game," Kent State and Akron deserve better than being thrown away as afterthoughts.