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This NCAA bid for women's lacrosse is gaining some significant exposure for UA and our athletic program- more than I think any of us would have expected. Realize most people in Northeastern Ohio know literally nothing about lacrosse- how it is played, what to watch for, what the rules are, or even how it is scored. Even fewer are aware of the skill, intelligence, and athletic ability necessary to play it at a high level. Encourage all of you to find out- you will probably become hooked- it is the fastest growing sport in the US. Aside from that- the screen showing that the Zips have clinched a space in the tournament has received over 1,000 likes on instagram in just 48 hrs. These are not UA fans- this is a national recognition liking the achievement of a new "guy on the block" so to speak. They are happy to see a new program succeed in a new location. Outside the tradition "hotbed" of the middle atlantic and northeastern states. They are also curious, checking us out- exactly who is this new lacrosse "power". I hope this might translate into a few transfer portal inquires and new areas for serious recruiting possibilities! All in all- all positive for the Zips!

If this was 2014, I get it. But nowadays...how do you even calculate who is credited for a player's graduation after they've been at 4 different schools? We get 40 new kids every season and the NCAA is complaining about them not graduating? Who knew? When Joe signed on, at his press conference he stated "I don't just want kids to get degrees...I want my kids to get meaningful degrees (not just major in eligibility)". That noble goal lasted about 47 minutes, then the portal concept blew up and put the kibosh on any football-academic fantasies. The bulk of today's players are no longer in college for an education. It's a job. Their goal at UA isn't to get a degree, it's to perform good enough to get noticed by a bigger program. Along with the training tables being cut last year, was the academic support staff reduced too?

First of all, the APR is a joke. In the Portal/NIL era, academics don't matter. The only reason Akron is being punished is because we don't make the NCAA enough money. Second of all, how embarrassing. Two straight years of penalties. Pure negligence by JoeMo and his staff.

It's the head coaches job to make sure the players are holding up their end of the bargain.

I guess I should have been clued into this when more women's lacrosse players walked across the JAR floor that football players on the night they recognized the academic dean's list athletes.

Overrated coach producing mediocre results on the field and now in the classroom. Never wanted his ass here in the first place. Tim Tyrell please come save us.

Purdue may have more wins in the MAC than Buffalo next season.

Wonder 4…5…6 years after the Arth era how many kids graduated, and if they didn’t, who it reflects poorly on? This is a good litmus test for our new AD. Will he have a knee jerk response and be swayed by collegejocksniffer.com’s click bait and memes? Or will he perform a real investigation and make meaningful changes? If tomorrow he says “Hey, I didn’t hire that coach” be very afraid.

All publicity is good publicity /s

I don’t think they’ll enforce it. Bret Bielema has told the committee numerous times this issue was coming and they’ve refused to acknowledge it. The sheer amount of athletes not graduating is going to be a hot topic soon.

I understood none would play Akron ... that's what we always heard ... much less PAY Akron to play them. It's truly a new world we're living in.

The issue is the revolving door of players. Too many players making no progress towards a degree.

I just saw this. It is damn embarrassing. Bad football is a little more palatable if we can say the kids are at least excelling academically. When they are inadequate on and off the field you have to wonder what the hell is going on.

I overheard Guthrie designed our OV background? Just a rumor tho...

Crazy, I just thought none of these teams would pay us to come play at their place

We knew about the Purdue game way back on page 14. Akron is getting $90k for it.

I did notice that, so at that rate, maybe he'll be gone before we even play Miami.

Rats. If the Zips played the Baha Mar Rumrunning Jerk Chickens it would have been so cool.😢

I expect to be adding Baha Mar to this list in November.

Their photos are much cooler than ours 😕

Their new slogan is "Kent State works"... ....at McDonald's...Wendy's....Arby's...Taco Bell....

6’ 6”, 340 lbs. Zips have had 3-4 serviceable OLs in any of the past few seasons. They should be 2-deep with options this year. We should have a legit team and a manageable schedule this season. Gotta at least go 6-6. I’m feeling 7-5, which is insanity. I’ll make my stone cold lock prediction after I see an August scrimmage or two.

It's hard for me to fault the kid. I love my job, but if a recruiter reached out to me telling me they would double or triple my pay to do the exact same job for a competitor, I'd probably leave as well. That doesn't necessarily mean he didn't enjoy his time here.

You all are virtual teenagers. I started work at Akron June 1965! Started graduate school at night the same year. Not only was Buchtel open, there were apartment buildings across the street- believe they were called the Char apartments (i think) used as dorms to the growing student population. there were small former homes, some used as fraternity houses, where the library is. Akron has grown and developed as a strong regional University during this period and needs to feel prouder about its strengthening than it does. It is an excellent institution and changes like this pathway enhancement will give it the visual "look" that many people associate with a strong school. Looks great Forever a Zip!

Realize, to most of you, that this is really a new sport, but you might want to take a look at an exciting addition to The University of Akron sports scene. In their first full season, the women's lacrosse team is really improving in significant ways. They are currently 7 & 7 on the season. They posted two wins this week including a virtual beatdown of Kent State. Women's lacrosse is not as physical as the men's game, but still quite exciting IF played on a high level. It contains elements with parallels to basketball and soccer. You can score with individual athletic talent and/or team play. The University of Akron's team has some excellent "dodgers" (those who can create their own shot as in basketball) as well as team oriented goals ( as in good passing among team members similar to basketball and soccer teams). They can create opportunities through excellent stick skills (again akin to soccer foot skill and basketball dribbling skill). In today's game a first year UA player scored on a behind the back shot- a high level skill not even tried by many players! This Akron team hustles and is relentless in their effort. They are true student athletes- the roster is full of pre-meds, engineers, speech pathology, nursing, and business majors among others. They have accomplished a great deal in a short period during a pandemic. They have done all of this without scholarships! So, if you have a chance, check them out next year. Their last contest is against an established Central Michigan team that has been around for years. That will be a tough way to end the season but even here- they will give their all. UA played CMU even for a half the first time around before they pulled away in the second half. But, given Akron's heart, who knows. Next year, with another recruiting class and added experience, their level of play should continue to develop. Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the U.S. I believe. Give them a look- they represent The University well.

The Zips are ineligible for a bowl game this season due to low APR.

Let's not act like college degrees haven't devalued themselves over the years with what's offered as courses nowadays. Do whatever it takes to keep the football program afloat and out of these types of headlines.