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I would be interested to see what Zips go on to earn as pros. What do those contracts that Castaneda, Isaiah Gray, etc. look like? How much do Zips make as pros vs. what they get through NIL? Doesn't pretty much everyone go on to play pro ball somewhere?

To nobodies surprise.

Has Perkins' brother landed anywhere?

Is there anyone from Concord worth getting a look as a walk-on for a year. Maybe with a chance to earn a scholly the year after?

I saw we recently announced a new sponsor, but if didn’t appear to be for the jersey patch. Good to see we are bringing more in regardless.

Thanks, I thought that was a done deal. His failure to sign now makes sense. It is weird in that before the college money, players could not wait to make money and left college early. Now they want to stay in college to make more money than they ever could as a pro.

Hopefully one for Akron.

I imagine we'll start seeing a couple of these announced each week between now and August.

Coach Ford was having breakfast locally today with Coach Dambrot, moles say. Would have been fun to eavesdrop on that chat.

Worth noting just 71 players have filed as early entry candidates for NBA Draft 2026, the lowest total in over 20 years. With the player pool much smaller than usual, maybe there's a shot? I would think a summer camp invite, at least.

The Zips could play a little Ten team on the Road.

I am about as big of a soccer fan as there is, and my enthusiasm for the World Cup is modest, at best. I initially intended to go to several games in at least two different cities; Now, I won't be attending any. Politics have ruined it for most people already. I think the residual enthusiasm for the program from the Elite 8 is more significant.

We're done now aside from a walk-on.

https://akronzippedup.substack.com/?utm_campaign=pub&utm_medium=web A superb edition of Zipped Up! Lots of good stuff. Clears up a few things for me.

Hopefully, coming off the World Cup and the Zips Elite 8 run last year, there will be some decent crowds.

According to this most recent scholarship chart, I'm assuming we can really get one more portal signing before being done.

And they will be playing on a beautiful grass pitch. And some of them in decent weather 😄

I suspect the brakes on anything happening with Bowen will be on until the NCAA grants him another year of eligibility.

I was on a Caribbean cruise last week. There was a large group of passengers at the pool one day who were wearing outfits that had both the US and Canadian flags intertwined. Everyone at the pool ended up loudly singing both countries national anthem. It was a fun afternoon.

Thank you as always @Illini Zip

Zips add Buddy Hammer Jr.

The nuts shrivel every time they think of playing Zips Men's Soccer, especially in Akron.

Could still be added. He said they were still finalizing some dates!

I think it's possible to be argued that we can become as good or better in March, but I'm with you we will almost certainly take a step back during the regular season, particularly November/December. It will take us some time to be firing on all cylinders. Last season it just took us 1 half of basketball to work out the kinks. That's not going to happen this year.