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Dr. Z and I were able to take-in our first practice since the beginning of summer camp today. It was difficult to make any profound observations, as the day was split into roughly 80 % drills, and 20% scrimmage situations. Nate Stewart was the star of the day. One-handed catches, sideline catches while heavily covered, TD's...he did it all. Coach Arth singled him out after the practice as and example of a player who competed on every play with maximum effort. He stated "Nate hasn't taken off a play, he hasn't asked to get a breather, he hasn't done anything but work hard the entire camp." Look for a huge year from Nate in 2019. It is interesting to see six quarterbacks practicing. Kato is the obvious #1. Robbie Kelly looks to be the #2. But the kid getting the next highest amount of reps was true freshman Zach Gibson. He made some nice throws, and acquitted himself well today. Some bizarre jersey numbers today, as Zach Gibson wore #50, RB Michiah Burton wore #59, RB Peter Hayes-Patrick wore # 67 and QB Nick Demchuk work #55. On the injury front - Hayes Patrick looks to have hurt his finger shortly after making a nice, 15 yard scrimmage run. Maverick Wolfley's day was over after he hurt his elbow on a crossing route. Julian Hicks was on the sideline wearing a tank top, with an ice pack on his shoulder. Deltron Sands and Keyondre White wore red shirts, and were relegated to drills on the sidelines. One player who seemed to take advantage of Jonah Morris and Julian Hicks' absence was Dustin Burkhart. He pulled in a nice 40-yard TD catch from Kato while being covered fairly well. Has a TD in a short yardage slant over the middle, and made multiple other nice plays over the course of the day. The Zips will be anything but predictable when inside the opponent's 5 yard line this season. The offense showed multiple looks, with slants to both sides, QB keepers, flea-flickers...this ain't the old "hand it four times to Cody Grice up the middle" Zips. On a several occasions the InfoCision speakers would blare rock music to simulate crown noise. We saw Nick Johns split out as a WR a few times. Former OL's John Neeley and Eric Bentley round out what Coach Arth feels is a solid 9-man rotation on the defensive line. Much better than the 5 DL's we had in the spring. At the end of practice Arth stated the defense won yesterdays practice, and the offense won today. So tomorrow is the rubber match. Boogie, Dre and Alvin rotated returning kick-offs. Each one of those guys can take it the distance. Per Coach Arth, Dre Williams is rounding into form after missing the spring with an injury. Landon Forman was also singled out as someone who missed the spring with an injury, but who's having a solid summer. Lots of parents in the stands, as this is Parents Weekend. They had a seemingly well-attended tailgate prior to the practice in Lot 9. More to come later. I know Dr. Z got some nice photos. Arth spoke to us after the practice. I'll transcribe it tomorrow.

I think there is some truth to that...but it isn't black and white. You don't win the MAC East title, and beat Northwestern, with 85 guys that are sloughing off. But you probably don't go from a 2.4 to a 2.9 overall team GPA in one semester without some players being held accountable for their classwork, who weren't in the past. I think all you need to know regarding the buy-in of the incumbent players to the new staff is seen in the lack of transfers.

Had lunch with these guys last week.

I wasn't sure where to put this, so feel free to move this where it's appropriate if necessary, admins. 2019 Varsity "A" Sports Hall of Fame Inductees Announced Andy Alleman Keith Dambrot Randy Ecrement James "Dru" Joyce Cadeau Kelley Stevi Large Gruber Latrese Taylor Sanders Romeo Travis They will be honored at the Homecoming Football Game against Can't State on Oct. 12th.

I found it interesting that Coach Arth bluntly noted that after he first met the team his expectations of them weren't terribly high, but how, over the course of the last handful of months, they've changed his mind. Can't help but wonder if that may be a reflection of the visibly low-bar for discipline (and possibly work ethic) set for the team by the previous staff? I also appreciated how Coach said he hopes his players all want to be part of "a team with an opportunity to transform a university."

Surprised (and pleased) to get the mail about my season ticket renewal and learn that the GA season ticket is still only $60. That's the best deal in town. I do, however, reserve the right to b!+ch like I have $600 seats.

I think if Tree didn't get himself into trouble he could have been the best Zip I've seen since getting to campus in 07

I'll add a few notes. • The sophomore running back Brandon Lee is fun to watch. I'm guessing he is hard for the defense to find behind the line at 5'6. He seems to go hard at every drill. • Easy to forget, because fans are used to it, but Alvin Davis was noticeable during live action having at least one interception. Jalen Hooks also had a nice pick. • One of the most unique drills of the day had coach Arth with boxing gloves trying to punch out the ball from receivers and running backs. Another coach had a baseball bat with a head cover taped to it doing the same. • After practice Josh Ward told me that this team is really coming together, he said the team is night and day from where they were in the spring. • I was told by a senior lineman that the run game has many more plays in it this year, and he thinks fans will notice. Kato has the ability to call audibles at the line, and has said to be doing a nice job of it. The lineman also commented that fans will notice the offense huddling up this year. • John Lako dropped deep in zone coverage to tip a well thrown pass by Kato. • In a very limited viewing of Peter Hayes-Patrick, he grabbed my attention. He looked to have moves, power, and an attitude with the football in his hands. • I'll second CK's comments on Nate, he looked like a legit number one out there. • Michiah Burton (pronounced ma-KAI-ah) was involved in the run game, he was also pointed out by an upperclassman as one of the freshman that stood out to him.

Thought this probably warranted a new thread.

one of the 4 co-captains is mentioned in this article https://www.ncaa.com/news/soccer-men/article/2019-08-15/11-ncaa-mens-soccer-players-watch-preseason-top-25

Hoping the new president has some game. Wilson shooting against the students was one of the few entertaining game breaks in recent years.

zips look ready !!!! Diego Pacheco also will have a new number this year (14 last year...7 this year) methinks that Pacheco is going to have a very big year😎 and College soccer news.....should have had #3 on their pre season all American Team😊

Baltimore Ravens sign offensive guard to fill out roster

Meaggan Pettipiece

Article written by David Moff? Is George off the Zips beat? Did the ABJ actually send a reporter to MAC media day?

Did anyone else notice they are doing like football where you can exchange tickets for future games? Non-conference for non-conference and conference for conference. This will be good for us as we sometimes skip the weekday school night games and can now bring friends on the weekend.

More people tend to come to the JAR when the team is playing well. Formula: good product on the floor + a brand of basketball that fans find entertaining + decent visiting teams = butts in seats

Mikal Dawson is not listed. And we are still one scholarship player over the limit. 🤔

Yeah, but then the stinking defense gave it all away in stoppage time....no fault of the Skipper, however. Nor the manager. They are just not a good time right now. I fear for Caleb's job, but hope the new ownership and Bezbo being there will buy him another year. But, I mean, I threw a tuna fish sandwich at the TV again last night when Jozie scored....gotta stop that...

GoZips.com Men's Basketball roster has been updated

Post-practice with Tom Arth – August 17, 2019 What were you expecting to get out of today’s practice...what were the practice-specific goals, and did you see it on the field? “I guess in some instances we did. Every day our goals are very similar. We want to come out and give the very best effort we can. We want to compete at a high level throughout the duration of the practice. For the most part I think we did that. I challenged the team today. I kind of questioned whether or not every single player we have in our program gave everything they had throughout the duration of the practice. There were some inconsistencies, and that’s an area we’re really trying to focus on. We need to become a more consistent group. Over the past couple weeks, we’ve had some really good days...we have some days when the offense has a great day and the defense struggles...and then the defense has a great day and the offense struggles. So we really just need to find that consistency. That’s what we need throughout the remainder of camp, working up to the start of the season.” At what point does the switch flip from getting better...defining your 2-deep roster...learning plays...to focusing on preparation for Illinois? “I don’t think you ever stop trying to get better. At some point here, probably next week, we won’t necessarily start to focus on Illinois, but we’ll start learning how to go through a game plan. Learning how to go through an in-season practice week. Developing our scout teams, making sure the scout team players understand the type of effort we’re looking for...the type of looks they have to give...and viceversa. The first and second units have to go hard in order to give the scout team the freedom to go hard. If the one’s and two’s aren’t giving everything they have, the scouts are going to be a little bit slower. So next week we’re going to start building in some of those periods. We’ll start training and developing the scout teams and really getting ready for everything necessary for the start of the season. Where do you feel the team is today, as opposed to where you’d hoped you’d be at the start of the camp? “I’m happy with where we’re at. I think we’ve made a lot of improvement. Who we were in the spring is very different that who we are today, and that’s a real credit to our players...their hard work and commitment to our program. We’re playing at a much higher level right now than at any point in the spring. That’s what you look for is that constant improvement. At the same time, you’re never satisfied. You’re always pushing them and challenging them to get better and to improve. I think the biggest positive out of camp has been our attitude, and the effort we’ve given. We’ve come out just about every single day put forth great effort in our practices. Now we need to continue putting forth that same effort, but also execute consistently.” Obviously Nate Stewart was a rock star today. Can you give me the names of a few players that have caught your eye...guys that maybe you only have seen on tape, or in limited reps in the spring, who are shining in camp? “Nate had a great day today, has had a great camp thus far too. Andre Williams has been really exciting to see. We didn’t get a chance to see him at all during the spring time. This being the first week and a half of camp, this is his first time practicing in a long time. And the first time playing in our offense. It’s taken him a little while to hit his stride, and in these last few practices we’ve really seen what he can bring to our offense. And that’s been really positive. Landon Forman is an offensive lineman that was out all spring. But what he’s shown us over the past couple weeks has been really exciting.” Considering there are so many new faces on defense, how do you feel things are coming along on that side of the ball? “We certainly feel a lot better (than in the spring). We have a lot of depth on our defensive line. That was a position where we might have had five guys in the spring time, and ideally, we’d like to have a nine-man rotation. I think we have nine guys right now that we feel confident can go out there and make plays for us.” I feel really confident in our defensive backfield. The freshman that have come in have added a lot of really good depth. It’s exciting that we have some young guys that are pushing for starting positions in the secondary.” MU 8-17-19 Here is link to the coach Arth interview.

ABJ: University of Akron football staff looking to add versatility on defensive line for Zips

They should have someone package the audio from Zips related radio broadcasts and GoZips/youtube videos into podcasts. That would be a good internship project for a student.

The recruiting class has been announced Welcome to all of the new soccer zips

Video of introductory press conference. ABJ: University of Akron names Gary L. Miller president UW-Green Bay thanks outgoing Chancellor Gary Miller for accomplishments during tenure From the video, I like Dr. Miller's mannerisms, and those of his wife. Both he and she seem competent and knowledgeable while also seeming extremely friendly. I like the guy already. I like that he says he wants to make UA a "destination campus." It really should be.

Texans impressed with rookie linebacker Jamal Davis

You're welcome and thank you. It is pure pleasure for me to support this team. I wish I could do more for the program. I love getting to know all our players and wish the best for them in soccer, the classroom, and wherever life takes them. By the way, we know Michael Nanchoff is back as an assistant. I think Zips fans will be pleased when they see another former Zip helping out this Fall.

In limited fourth quarter playing time in his first preseason NFL game UGIII intercepted a two-point conversion pass, recorded three tackles with a sack and a half, getting four pressures. 🤯🤯🤯

UGIII with 2 sacks, ain't I interception, and a strip in less than 6 minutes in the 4th. Really great night for him.

I hate not winning the title as much as anyone, but it sure beats the alternative of being a non-contender.

Yes 🥇. The silver medals are starting to pile up 🥈🥈🥈

I find the whole Cooper thing sexist and racist. If he was a white female, this wouldn't even be a story.

Another Zip in the NFL. I think the 49ers will be scouting us a little more now. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/warrenballjr_wowgod-youre-amazing-i-am-excited-to-activity-6563158415504482304-rfq5

I read somewhere that the Battle for the capital Tournament will afford each of the four participating teams two games at the home arena of the WNBA's Washington Mystics. Akron will play in the nightcap of the doubleheader on December 20 against the Tulane Green Wave. If the Zips win they will play the winner of Liberty/ Towson in the nightcap on Dec 21. If the Zips fall to the Green Wave they will play the loser of the Flames-Tigers matchup in the early game on the 21st.

Woo hoo! I've been looking for a 6' 3", 300 pounder to appear in the recruiting forum for a couple months! Merry Christmas to us! My season Wins prediction just jumped by 2. He's just what we needed!

2019 roster is up 37 freshman, and unlike recent years, a picture for all

Too bad. He always looked good in a bikini.

I'm sure you have seen the post on GoZips.com, but Paulina Nogaj is competing at the World Swimming Championships in Korea this weekend for Poland. She is a great kid and obviously a great swimmer. Drove up to Cleveland State yesterday and saw Brook Lamoureaux, Andrea Fischer, Jackie Pash, Ellie Nebraska, Morgan Waggoner, Ally Whaton and Sarah Watson compete at the USA Swimming Speedos, competing for Firestone Akron Swim Team (or FAST!)...lots of hard work put in this off-season, it seems like. USA Swimming Futures meet is at SPIRE next weekend, don't know if we'll have any entries, but good to see the 6-time MAC Champs spending time in the pool. Also, lots of swimmers we see in the MAC from BG, Eastern, Toledo, Ohio, and a few from Miami.