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GOOSEBUMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Motivational Monday Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRoe-6xF_78

Evidence as to why ZN.O > Akron Beacon Journal Zips coverage.

Got this email yesterday and finally got around to reading it. Son of a bitch please take my money. It's been stated already, but can we just go ahead and get rid of that interim title? This guy is making me proud to be a Zip. Dear Kenneth, With Homecoming at The University of Akron this week (Saturday, Oct. 8), I thought that it would be an ideal time to provide you with a brief update of the first three months of my interim presidency. (Naturally, we hope that you can join us for Homecoming. Click here for details.) Also, I wanted to respond to the question that I hear the most from our alumni base and supporters – "Please let me know what I can do to help UA." OUTREACH AND EXCITEMENT First, our progress is very encouraging. On campus, there is a definite air of optimism and renewed spirit. The greater community continues to generally express its enthusiastic support for UA. Media coverage has predominantly focused on the accomplishments of our students, faculty, and alumni. We are even attracting more community members to our on-campus events – though we would naturally love to see more (additional information is in the bullet points below). Every week, I make it a point to connect with students, faculty, and staff as well as our supporters, alumni, members of industry, and government officials at the local and state levels. At the same time, every week I pack boxes of Zippy cookies into my car and present them to local high school principals and guidance counselors when I visit their schools to discuss how UA can better assist our high schools and their students. At my present pace, I will visit more than 50 high schools this semester alone. This semester and next, I will also be addressing high school students across the region. Most recently, I spoke to freshmen and sophomores at Firestone High School, and will be addressing the entire student body at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School next week. Fortunately, faculty members have joined me in visiting high schools and sharing their specific expertise in the schools’ classrooms. Our admissions and financial counselors are actively visiting schools to explain college preparation, financial aid opportunities, the enrollment process, and related topics to students and parents. Fall semester has been very exciting. ENROLLMENT Our fall enrollment is 8% less than in Fall 2015. Although this presents a substantial financial challenge for us, we were able to reverse an even steeper decline due to a heroic effort by our Admissions team and others. In fact, in the two months prior to Sept. 13, we had a 4.3% uptick in overall enrollment. Two principal factors combined for much of the decline: One of our largest classes in recent years graduated in 2015-16, and new freshman enrollment fell sharply this fall to 3,442. There are several noteworthy aspects to that new freshmen enrollment: The average GPA was 3.44, the highest average GPA in UA’s history for this cohort, and the classes’ average ACT score of 23.3 remains the same as fall 2015 cohort. The percentage of minority students in the entering freshman class increased to 25.1% from 23.1% last year, and the percentage of out-of-state entering freshman students increased to 9.3%, from 5.7% in comparison with two years ago. As we look to rebound from the enrollment decrease, we will be focusing substantial energy on retention and recruitment of students. All seem willing to contribute to improving student success. We will also need to tighten our belt and move forward in a fiscally prudent manner both internally and externally. I continue to hold town hall meetings with our colleges and departments to discuss our situation and invite input. HOW CAN I HELP? Understanding the rich heritage of the University together with the immediate challenges before us, alumni and friends of the University constantly ask, “How can we help?” There are many ways you can contribute, and you might be surprised by their simplicity and ease. We invite you to join us in one or more of the following: Learn more about us. The more positive news you can spread the stronger we will become. Bookmark our homepage on your computer as a fast and easy way to keep up with the latest news and stories about Akron students, faculty, programs, and sports. The more you learn about your alma mater, the prouder you will be. Attend events on campus. Entertainment dollars spent on campus benefit our students and the University. Check out this University Calendar for easy, fast reference to events coming up on campus. If you’re a sports fan, visit the athletics page where you can keep up with every one of our Division IA teams. If you’re looking for a Broadway musical, classical concert, or other entertainment, keep the E.J. Thomas Hall link handy. here is so much to see and do on our campus. Show your Akron pride. Help the community remember the benefits of UA by joining us for Blue & Gold Fridays. We have designated everyFriday during the academic year for staff, contract professionals, faculty, and students to wear Zips gear and Akron blue & gold to celebrate all aspects of our University. It could be as simple as placing a gold kangaroo pin on your lapel. If you own a business or store, set the example and then invite your employees to show their Akron colors. If you need Zips gear, visit the Team Shop or stop by campus and browse through the bookstores in the Student Union and the Polsky Building. Promote UA to prospective students. Nothing matches word-of-mouth communication for persuasive power. Recommend UA to family and friends with high school students, or colleagues and coworkers who are thinking of upgrading their skills. Direct them to our homepage orAdmissions site for more information. If you’re coming to campus for a game or show, bring them along! Let them seem UA for themselves. Link with our Career Center. Internships, co-operative education, and other forms of experiential learning are immensely beneficial to participating companies and organizations, as well as to students. Visitthe Career Services site to learn more about these programs. Scholarship Support. If your budget permits, please contribute to ourMaking a Difference Moving Forward scholarship campaign. The most effective way for you to help students succeed is by giving to our scholarship fund. Your contribution can literally make the difference between a student dropping out or continuing on to graduation. Encourage your elected officials to find every way possible to support UA as we look to bounce back from a period of turbulence. More than ever, we need governmental leaders to work with the University, support our mission, and assist us on all fronts. We all benefit when UA is strong and vibrant. I want to repeat that I am very encouraged and optimistic about our future. The revitalized spirit shown throughout the campus and community is deeply inspiring. I am more convinced than ever that this extended University of Akron family can accomplish any task it unites behind. Thank you for your continuing support. Sincerely, Matthew J. Wilson Interim President

TOP 10 NFL ROOKIES ENTERING WEEK 5 With Week 4 in the books, we’ve witnessed one of the largest shakeups in PFF’s race for rookie of the year yet. Four new faces make the list, including three players in the secondary. Of course, it’s the quarterbacks that still reign supreme. 7. Jatavis Brown, LB, Chargers It’s the year of the Day 3 pick, as we see another Saturday selection make the top-10. Jatavis is currently grading above-average in run defense, coverage, and when rushing the passer. With that kind of production, the Chargers’ coaching staff has taken notice, moving him to a full-time role after the season-ending injury to Manti Te’o, instead of limiting the rookie to sub-packages. He played 68 snaps against the Saints, and is currently PFF’s 25th highest-graded linebacker.

I sure hope so. Not only do they need an update, but I think the entire nation must be starting to believe that Akron's colors are Blue and Silver. That never made any sense to me at all.

I know OOC we're lucky to see even a solid mid-major at the JAR, but this is still a ridiculously successful home record none-the-less: The Zips finished the season with an unblemished 15-0 home record in 2015-16, improving to 162-23 (.876) at Rhodes Arena under Dambrot.

article on Perry Kitchen http://sbisoccer.com/2016/10/kitchen-williams-looking-to-lock-down-usmnt-central-midfield-spot Kitchen does the dirty work as a true defensive midfielder. At 24-years-old, he also has age on his side, while his recently awarded captaincy at Heart of Midlothian demonstrate his leadership qualities. With Kitchen, you know what you get: a rock-solid presence that has the maturity to lead when called upon.

Not sure anyone will ever average over 15 in KD's offense

I think the problem with gold is that sometimes it doesn't translate well with fabrics. Some Pitt uniforms in the past have looked like a pale tan color. Some Notre Dame uniforms have looked like mustard. The key is finding a happy medium. I think the shade Michigan State used would look cool.

I agree - I still see them getting to 6 wins and making a bowl game, which would still be a good season for them.

We had used some "old gold" unis at times all the way back in the Huggins era too. It makes us a little unique. I think our gold color is VASTLY underused. Both in uniforms, and fan gear.

As Bowden pointed there is a lot to be excited for in this offense as the O-line continues to progress both this year and next. This season could very well end up being Akron's best offensive year when everything is all said and done and it's crazy to think they could even be better next season. Sure they lose Natson, but they are amassing quite the stable of receivers.

I wanted to say thanks to everyone that enjoyed the column and took the time to write a note or click a "like." It was a lot of work to coordinate, but definitely worth it when I see that people liked it.

"Wagon Wheel Win: Zips Fans This Is For You!" (This video's sweet.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbEpitEb4VA

"Zips fans can look forward to more uncertainty. Coach Terry Bowden said during his news conference on Tuesday that Woodson, who threw on a very limited basis, has not been ruled out for Saturday’s game against Miami University. Bowden said he feels comfortable putting the offense in Chapman’s hands again." If Woodson can't play this week, and he plays against (ranked) WMU next Saturday, he will not have thrown a meaningful pass in 21 days. Let's hope he can go this week.

Tuesday, Oct. 4, was Walk-on Try Out Day. Nine young men gave it a go. Two or three will be offered a manager's position. None of them is the next Micheal Jordan. Made for a long day for the staff as the Try Out was followed by the second three hour practice in two days. Thankful for a day off Wednesday. The team composition changes a good bit. Most notably will be on the wing. Several players are vying for that starting role. I think I have a good idea who will get the nod. Best candidate is Danny Utomi; however. Dan maybe called on to back up Kwan Cheatham at the power forward. "BIG MIKE" Hughes is Isaiah Johnson's understudy at Center. Big Mike is one sweet player. You are going to rave about his performance. Our three experienced guards get more depth with the addition of Craig Eubanks, Jimond Ivey and true Freshman Taivan Dunn-Martin. While the sports rags are tabbing the Zips to repeat as East Champs none of them call out Zips for their all conference teams. Mind you, eight or nine Zips will be second team selection. Akron is that well balanced.

Students can buy scarves at this game, plus there's the opportunity to mock Cicerone. Should be a g turnout.

Akron4ever broke the news on zipsnation.org last Thursday.

Interesting analysis of Jatavis Brown's play-making ability prior to the Chargers 34-35 loss to the Saints in which Brown led the defense with 7 solo tackles. On the Chargers message board, a comparison was made between Brown and the LB he replaced as follows: "I think the most telling stats are these:" 'In 38 games play, Te’o had 9 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, and 1.5 sacks. In 82 snaps, rookie Jatavis Brown has 4 passes defensed, 1 forced fumble, and a sack.' "This is really mind-boggling. In just a couple of games, as a BACK-UP, Brown has now equalled Teo on forced fumbles, nearly equalled him on sacks, and has already defensed nearly half the passes Teo has defensed over three years! And Teo is supposedly our best cover LB. If we extrapolate Brown's numbers over three years, he'd be top of the league among LB's." l