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I haven't noticed anyone posting a greeting for this Christmas so I thought I'd send ya'll these best wishes for a blessed and joyful Christmas, even though I'm late. My first, and maybe best, present came when Zip_ME87 confirmed Jared was staying put. Other presents scattered around our Zip tree are the growth of Men's basketball, the turnaround of women's basketball, the high hopes we have with a new football staff, the excitement of baseball returning under coach Sabo, the fire Christy Mitchell seems to be bringing to our fledging LaCrosse team and the continued excellence of Track and Swimming & Diving. That's a lot to be grateful for. But I'm also grateful for the informative news and discussions that are presented on this board. I can even say I appreciate the occasional idiot because he/she makes me value the vast majority of posters who actually make sense with their opinions. To the mods who make ZNO possible.... Thanks!

On this version of ZN.o, the poster who started a thread can change the title by editing the post with which the thread was started.

Thanks for the thread title change @dre22era Very nice! Thanks again to Coach Embick for staying at Akron. I trust Zipsnation will reward Jared for his dedication to us by showing our resolve to help keep our Zips Men's Soccer program strong. For those who are not soccer fans, please understand Akron does get a lot of free press every time one of our Men's Soccer alumni in the pros takes the field. Our program is mentioned. When we have a run like we did this season those mentions increase. That happens on FOX, the ESPN networks, NBC, NBC Sports, and online. Players in MLS, USL, and the English Premier League and elsewhere around the world do us proud. Darren Mattocks with FC Cincy and, if rumors are true, Caleb Porter leading the Columbus Crew, will likely bring us more attention in Ohio. Chris Stimler said it so well in this tweet... Just in the last few weeks, some of the attention we garnered (not even close to all-inclusive): ESPN SportsCenter Play of the Day #7 (12/7/18) This incredible game-winning team goal at Stanford (Elite8) that propelled us to the 2018 College Cup and went viral on Twitter... Death by a thousand passes .

Jared Embick to Louisville......NOT!!!

How about “Embick commits to Akron.” That is our best commitment this year. Merry Christmas

Zips voice, many excellent thoughts I was typing a reply.....at the same time that Zip_ME87 was typing a reply. I have very similar comments. The situation for Akron soccer is much, much larger than Jared's compensation. I have seen articles that Lolla at Louisville made $330,000 this year and would make $350,000 in 2019 (if he had stayed). Suffice it to say, Jared's compensation is not near that high level. I have never spoken with Coach Embick but I know that his concern would be for a budget 1)that allows him to retain his high quality assistants....Ger is considered to be a great goalkeeper coach....; TJ, Ger had to do yeoman work with Jared late in the year as they were one coach down ; Funds need to be good to bring in another top notch assistant 2) a budget that allows Jared, Ger, TJ and others to travel to Portugal, Spain, Italy and all parts of the US to evaluate student athletes that will be the best fit for zips soccer ; 3) support for the student athlete...that help them perform well in school and on the field.... A) a few years ago...might have been 2015,the Beacon had an article about the cost of freezing cold ice baths....and how often that the team could afford to do that...I know that there is a technical term for the freezing baths but it helps the players recover quicker. I remember from the article...that Victor Souto was the first brave zip to get into the freeze bath.....If those are still the best mechanism to help athletes recover, boosters need to help donate money to have funds for that. B. ) Sports now are mental as well as physical...are funds available to the soccer program for sports psychologists?...again, I have no knowledge if this is something available for zips football, zips basketball, etc. C) Zip_me87...mentioned funds for travel.....travel needs to be set up to allow the student athlete to miss the least amount of school....and be the most rested for the road games....D) Nutrition An immediate concern of mine.....is whether the zip soccer team will be able to take a foreign trip in 2019. The team can take one every 4 years. The 2014 team lost in the round of 64 in the NCAA tourney. That team went to Brazil in 2015 and that team lost on PK's in the college cup in 2015. The players from that team talk about that trip as something that gave them the confidence to have a great year in 2015. This 2018 team was so close to winning it all. A foreign trip would give Carlo, David , Marcel, Skye, Colin, Sam , etal a chance to become even better. The athletic department and Coach Embick and his staff can't accomplish what they want to...without the help of alumni and donors. I, like many of us on this board, like to write. I would be happy to be involved in trying to increase the amount of funds available for our beloved soccer program.

Thank you, Jared Embick for choosing to see the very best in us. We are eternally thankful for your faithfulness. It is now time for UA AD to respond in kind. Akron Soccer must be afforded ALL the Resources and Support commensurate with a perennially elite program. We should not envy any other programs for anything. Larry Williams, recognize the best card in your hand, and play it accordingly. Louisville is unlikely to come for our Basketball coach, or our Football coach. But Louisville evidently really likes our Soccer coaches. There is a message there, Larry. Be smart enough to see it. Invest In Excellence!

Well said. In the words of cousin Eddie, "Thanks Clark".