Illini Zip

You have me beat. I stood next to Ron Harper of the Chicago Bulls in the McDonalds bathroom downtown Chicago. Way back in the 90’s.

Happy Easter everyone!!

That all makes sense to me, but again the NCAA was always corrupt. Now they are both corrupt and impotent. I think federal laws or tax penalties/incentives will have to be passed to reign this back in and say good bye to the relic that is the NCAA. Collective bargaining seems like the right direction.

I have no idea what the answer is, but I’m pretty convinced at this point that the NCAA isn’t it.

Illinois will land on this list easily.

It makes perfect sense.

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What is ACE?

I would be surprised if Groce let Eric follow him. That wasn’t the way he used to roll, but I guess a coach is following him. Maybe things have changed in the Wild West.

John Fanta called Akron a monster. Did you hear that Zippy? You are to be feared.

I’m glad we got Ford into the HC position before Ohio’s next coaching search which I thought could be this year.

💯😓👍

Remember you asked for this… Nine years ago I came onto this forum and expressed to you all just how good of a coach you were getting in John Groce. And an even better person in my opinion. At that time you were dealing with the departure of KD and I couldn’t say goodbye to a guy I grew fond of as the coach of the Fighting Illini. I really thought he would get Akron that first NCAAT win. I know the landscape of the game completely changed during his tenure, but I sure wish he could have achieved that ultimate goal. UCLA was the game, damn we were so close. As a guy who grew up in Illinois within a couple of hours of Chicago I support my local pro teams. I support U of Illinois. My alma mater is Illinois State and they stick their head up every once in a great while. Pretty basic regional loyalty stuff. Here is the great twist as I have gotten older. I have adopted teams into my fandom that are based on affinity. I don’t know Groce personally. I just connected with him on some level and that led me to Akron. And I will probably check in on him at Charleston too. It might be harder because I can’t find a legitimate fan forum for the College of Charleston cougars. It’s still so hard for me to believe he’s gone. Anyway, I have also adopted Ole Miss due to a road trip from Illinois to Florida. They are now my SEC team. The sleepy little town of Oxford fits my personality so well and I enjoyed talking to the people during my short visit. I need to get back down there. All of this is to say people and relationships is what matters most to me. Zips Nation, you all matter to me. I have spent so much time on this forum and have never met any of you in person. Is that silly, pathetic? Perhaps. But you are still my friends. We have experienced so many highs and lows together. So I’m not looking to go anywhere. Now my positive feelings towards the new head coach are a plus. I met both Groce and Ford years ago when the Zips played at NIU. Ford was very personable and gave generously of his time. I think his hire while not a sure thing is a wise decision and I will be pulling for his success just the same. I will still be putting together the scholarship chart and if I win it big one day I will still build Joe and Jane Akron a new basketball arena with the best concessions. Thanks for the good times. And here’s to many more to come!! Go Zips!!

I do like using my likes. 👍

We could be barking up the wrong tree. Groce’s wife might have said enough. I‘m picking the next destination.