CLEVELAND -- Kent State's making its first trip to the College World Series and Josh Cribbs is making sure the Golden Flashes have fans in Nebraska to support them.
The Browns wide receiver, and one of the school's most famous and proud alums, has chartered a bus for fans to take to Omaha.
"I'm going to do my part in making sure those guys have a fan base out there cheering for them," Cribbs said following practice Tuesday. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Cribbs, who played quarterback at Kent State from 2001-2004, bought tickets for Kent State's game on Saturday against Arkansas. A message on teamcribbs.com says packages are available for $150 per person and include a hotel room on Friday night, beverages and snack on the bus. It's not clear if Cribbs is making the trip.
"I'm trying to be there to support my team," he said. "I love that they're giving us something to cheer for, especially during this offseason."
Cribbs said even fans of rival Akron have been tweeting him congratulations for his alma mater's big win. The Golden Flashes are the first Mid-American Conference team to make it to the World Series since Eastern Michigan in 1976.
Kent State advanced by winning two of three games against Oregon. The Golden Flashes earned their spot among the nation's final eight teams with a 3-2 win on Monday night, scoring the winning run on Jimmy Rider's bloop double in the bottom of the ninth inning. Cribbs was getting a massage in the final innings of the thrilling win.
"My masseuse was like, 'Do you want me to stop real quick? I was jumping around. 'They did it!" he said. "They had me on pins and needles. I turned back from the game, they were getting me too stressed out while I was getting stretched and massaged. It was too tense. Then when (Oregon) came back, I couldn't look. It was epic."
Cribbs was excited his school was getting a moment in the national spotlight, just as it did in 2002 when Kent State made it to the national quarterfinals in men's basketball.
"They've always had an elite team and it's about time they started getting recognized for it," he said. "That was my first sport, baseball, so it runs deep with me. I'm going to be supporting them to the end."
