Dan Hipsher

Dan Hipsher, former University of Akron head coach is announced as the new head coach at University of Texas-Pan American.


Big Dan Gets A Gig

Minnesota Fires Tubby Smith

Minnesota fired Tubby Smith the day after his team lost in the NCAA tournament. First name mentioned ... Shaka Smart.

Turns out the current AD at Minnesota is formerly of Virginia Common Wealth. He hired Shaka at VCU.

But, hold on to your hats, USC, UCLA and some other higher profile schools just might lure the back stabbing Smart
away from Minnesota.

D J Cooper

Western Michigan tanked early against Ohio. At half time WMU concocted a plan that nearly won the game for them.

Double team DJ Cooper nearly every time he touches the ball on offense. This simple plan nearly took down OU.
Had the deficit (seventeen) been a little smaller or the game a few minutes longer WMU might have pulled the upset.

The Zips brain trust watched the WMU/OU game from courtside. Hopefully they spotted the double teaming and the results.

Akron's Very Own Rudy

Most of us are familiar with the inspirational movie about Daniel "Rudy" Rudlinger the famous Notre Dame football walk on.
"Rudy" all five foot nothing, one hundred and nothing without a speck of talent hung on as a member of the Notre Dame
football team's scout team for two years. Rudy is a real person; as is Akron's "Rudy", Luke Avsec, a walk on for the men's
basketball team.

Like the movie's Rudy, Luke works his tail off doing every job asked of him. Luke is usually one of the first on the floor before
practice, and usually one of the last to leave. Luke works on his game almost daily. Like Rudy, Luke is never going to rise
above the scout team. Rudy, er, Luke wears the same grungy red scout team practice jerseys every day. Akron's scout team
quickly learns and executes opponents offense and defense plays so the Blue team and White team can beat on them and
learn the opponents strengths and weaknesses.

Being on the scout team is a thankless job. At best, a scout player can expect to get a sort of "nuggie" to his head as a sign
of appreciation by the Blues & Whites. The job is difficult and it takes a strong spirit to bust one's butt when wearing a red
jersey. Most walk ons, Luke included, hope for the Blues and Whites to totally kick ass early in a game so they can get some
hard earned "garbage" minutes. Walk ons like Luke really appreciate the fans acknowledging their on the floor presence.

Next time you meet up one of Akron's unheralded scout players, let them know you appreciate their efforts to make the
Zips the best mid-major in the country.

and ... Go Zips ...!!!!

Black Friday

Not an official announcement by the Athletics Department, but, Zips fans are encouraged to wear as much black as they can.

The Zips will wear their new all black uniforms for the Cant game. Fans in black is supportive of the team.

Cant will wear their traditional buttercup yellow togs.