Akron in Diamond Head Classic

Where in the world is GoZips? I cannot believe he AND DaveinGreen have given Z.I.P. the scoop on the biggest news of the year (at least excepting the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson).

Here's part of what this morning's Honolulu Star-Advertiser says, quoting our coach: "We are very excited to be in an ESPN-owned tournament for a second-consecutive season. The Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic is a great tournament and once again consists of a very strong field. Like the Puerto Rico Tip-Off last season, playing in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic will allow our fans to travel to a beautiful location and see the Zips play against high-quality competition."
Congratulations coach.

The other teams in the event are George Mason, Boise State, Iowa State, Oregon State (possibly followed by the coaches vacationing bro-in-law), Saint Marys and South Carolina. All good competition. I know Dave, Cap'n and the rest of the gang will not want to miss out on a chance to follow the team to Waikiki Beach and UH-Manoa. Let's start our travel plans here.

Keith Dambrot

http://www.mac-sports.com/tabid/969/Articl...MAC-Honors.aspx

Champions League Broadcasts on Fox

I have mentioned earlier that I do not enjoy the over-Anglicization of football on American airwaves. The idea that an English accent makes the game more authentic sets my blood boiling. That's one reason why I really enjoyed the Fox Soccer broadcast with Gus Johnson today. Good to see not just that Fox is paying their own people, rather than re-broadcast the Sky Sports (or whoever it belongs to) simulcast when the game begins -- but that an American voice is calling play-by-play. I thought Johnson was completely reliable as far as his knowledge of the game went. I was actually more concerned going in about Warren Barton. Barton, however did a great job of being second fiddle. When he first arrived on Fox Soccer Channel he had a propensity for being overbearing, and downright arrogant toward his broadcast partners. I hope Eric Wynalda played a part in taming him, and that EW gets next shot at the broadcast booth.

Did others watch? Whattidja think?

Future Gold Medalist?

Is this kid (he actually appears to be a 20 y.o. freshman -- dob 1992) the best Akron athlete of all time? His best jump this indoor season is a foot-and a-half higher than the #2 jump. He's like 4" away from the junior record. Recruiting this performer is a tribute to long-time coach Dennis Mitchell and his staff. Expect him to win both indoor and outdoor NCAA titles this year! Where is the NCAA outdoor meet? I'm willing to get the tailgate started at either Eugene or Sacramento, if Zipmeister brings eighteen feet of ales.

Merry Christmas to All

Hope everyone in the ZN.o has awakened on X-mas morn with presents under the tree and not too much eggnog in their pantries. There's a long story behind this, but to make it short I was researching our newest FB QB recruit, who earlier had his scholly offer pulled by Tuscon's own RichRod, and then discovered this link, with your very own Z.I.P. (yours truly) featured photographically (Even Santa Prefers Rainbow Warriors) in the Arizona Daily Star's Wildcat basketball blog. I guess it was smart of Z.I.P. to wear his ZIPS cap at the Diamond Head Classic on Saturday when this shot was taken, behind my good friend Santa Claus -- who CK might recognize as our mutual friend Eugene Oregon from the Portland regional in 2011. That of course is Z.I.P. in the upper right. Can you make out my cap?

I think all four games will be televised today, so look for the jolly fellow, and his agent (I get 10% of all the presents).