1. Kent State football team wins 11 games, goes to its first bowl game in 40 years.
2. Jimmy Haslam buys the Browns from Randy Lerner, takes over midseason.
3. Kent State baseball team goes to the College World Series.
4. Caleb Porter leaves University of Akron soccer program for a shot as coach of the Portland Timbers of MLS.
5. Cavs guard Kyrie Irving wins NBA Rookie of the Year, and does well practicing against U.S. Olympic team.
6. Browns’ draft-day maneuvers land running back Trent Richardson and quarterback Brandon Weeden in the first round.
7. Darrell Hazell, after leading Kent State to its best football season since 1972, leaves to become head coach at Purdue. Paul Haynes replaces him.
8. LeBron James wins his first NBA title, his third NBA MVP, an Olympic gold medal in London and is named the Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year.
9. Indians hire Terry Francona to replace Manny Acta as part of a retooling process that includes the addition of Mark Reynolds, Drew Stubbs and pitching prospect Trevor Bauer.
10. Ohio State, led by Urban Meyer in his first season, goes 12-0 in football but because of probation status does not go to a bowl game.
